Successfully fabricated ManDust - Dust content standard system
PM dust pollution
Air pollution is one of the most urgent environmental problems today, especially in big cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations far exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) thresholds.
Currently, automatic, continuous dust content measuring devices are becoming more and more common, helping to provide data continuously and accurately. The biggest challenge in verifying/calibrating them is ensuring consistency between measuring equipment and standard equipment in terms of technology and data. The inspection / calibration of equipment measuring dust content in the ambient air (automatic, continuous) depends on different measurement principles. Such as the principle of weight weighing, beta attenuation, light scattering, spectroscopy or decreasing trace oscillation equilibrium (TOEM).
Therefore, researching and developing a standard system for measuring dust content, applying simulation methods based on actual conditions of the environment into the laboratory is necessary, serving management agencies in the inspection / calibration process. This process plays an important role in the use of appropriate dust measuring equipment, providing accurate data on dust concentration, thereby contributing to the calculation and giving an accurate air quality index to the community.
Master ManDust design and manufacturing technology - Dust content standard system
Stemming from the above practical needs, the Center for High-tech Research and Development has successfully implemented the project: "Research and manufacture a standard system for testing/calibrating dust measuring equipment in the air environment" (code: TNMT.2021.996.01), approved and accepted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on 20/12/2023. ManDust - PM10 / PM2.5 dust content standard system, with new and innovative technology, a breakthrough product in the field of environment.
ManDust is designed and manufactured according to the principle of mixing, mixing and absorbing flows (gas, dust) according to the isokinetic principle (isokinetic) with 04 main blocks: Block creates clean, dry air flow; PM dust dispersion block; Mixing tower with isokinetic sample suction tips; Output block. In particular, the dust mixing tower design is optimized to prevent particle loss and ensure the uniform distribution of PM particles in the tower. The dust content is controlled within (0 ÷ 2,000) μg/m3, in line with conventional dust measuring devices on the market in Vietnam.
With the flow rate and turbulence level in the mixing tower controlled and maintained at a low level to simulate dust sampling conditions in a stationary state (v < 0.5 m/s). Standard equipment and equipment to be verified/calibrated are located outside the tower, dust samples are taken through isodynamic sampling heads to limit and ensure the uniformity of dust particles (velocity and density) between the inside and outside of the mixing tower, between the reference equipment and the equipment to be verified/calibrated is the same and representative. The vertical design of the mixing tower combined with the isodynamic sampling head and straight (no bending) sampling tube ensures that the loss due to adhesion or dust particle loss is negligible. ManDust system control software is programmed with many useful features, including configuration settings, operation, measurement, calculation and data storage to help users easily manage parameters, monitor operation and collect data conveniently.
ManDust is not only suitable for the inspection or calibration of PM dust measuring devices, but can also be applied in a variety of applications such as performance evaluation and quality assurance of air quality measuring devices in outdoor environments, indoors and work environments. In addition, it can also be used in studies related to human health.
The mastery of technology during the design and manufacture of the Dust Content Standard System by the research team is very important, not only in the field of environmental monitoring but also in measurement management. According to statistics of the General Department of Standards, Metrology and Quality, Vietnam currently has more than 20 organizations performing inspection / calibration in the field of physical chemistry. However, the shortage of capacity to inspect or calibrate dust measuring devices such as PM2.5 and PM10 in the ambient air is due to the lack of a Dust Content Standard System. Therefore, the development of scientific research products with high applicability, meeting market needs and the ability to link with businesses to put technology into practice, is an appropriate and feasible direction.
The mastery of technology during the design and manufacture of the Dust Content Standard System by the research team is very important, not only in the field of environmental monitoring but also in measurement management. According to statistics of the General Department of Standards, Metrology and Quality, Vietnam currently has more than 20 organizations performing inspection / calibration in the field of physical chemistry. However, the shortage of capacity to inspect or calibrate dust measuring devices such as PM2.5 and PM10 in the ambient air is due to the lack of a Dust Content Standard System. Therefore, the development of scientific research products with high applicability, meeting market needs and the ability to link with businesses to put technology into practice, is an appropriate and feasible direction.
Research results have been published in four articles in international and Vietnamese journals such as "Instrumentation Science & Technology" and "Journal of Environment". At the same time, the research team registered three intellectual property products, including utility solutions, industrial designs and trademarks, and was accepted by the National Office of Intellectual Property. In addition, ManDust products have received copyright certificates from the Copyright Office, which is an important step forward in protecting intellectual property rights and recognizing the creative contributions of the research team.
Dr. Duong Thanh Nam and his colleagues are making continuous research efforts for ManDust to meet and exceed the strict technical requirements of National Standards. The scientists will continue to refine and improve the design, and conduct a detailed analysis and evaluation of ManDust's measurement characteristics, thereby improving the quality and reliability of the system.
Translated by Phuong Ha
Link to Vietnamese version
