A Brief Introduction to Particle Counters

Particle counter monitors particles have been widely used in clean room production, sensitive production and HVAC systems.

Floating particle counters play an important role in monitoring, classifying, and diagnosing the source and occurrence of contaminants in cleanroom operations. Makers of semiconductors, flat-panel displays and hard disk storage devices have long recognized the link between improving air quality and increasing final production. In particular, controlling particles in the air is critical to achieving ISO certification for clean rooms, areas and rooms. Because work areas vary according to production requirements, the use of local monitoring equipment is critical to measuring and maintaining the required cleanliness.

The manufacture of electronic products requires strict procedures and environmental controls, especially if the process requires toxic, flammable, corrosive or reactive materials. At the same time, processes and personnel introduce and produce particles throughout the production process. When components interact with dust, microorganisms in the air, aerosol particles, and trace amounts of water, yields are greatly reduced. The particle counter ensures that machine and design functions (such as air filters and channels) in the dust-free room are effective both at manufacture and at rest.

Different instruments provide different levels of function depending on the size of the target particle. The range of particle counters' sensitivity to particles depends on the application. Therefore, it is designed for the function of identifying and counting particles.

What is the difference between condensed particle counter and optical particle counter?

What is a condensation particle counter?

The condensing particle counter (CPC), also known as the condensing core counter (CNC), is used to measure the concentration of ultrafine particles that cannot be detected by a photometer or OPC. Kit inserts contain high purity, reagents of quality isopropanol or butanol, which are applied to incoming air samples. The interaction between the particles and the liquid causes the nanoparticles to expand to a size of approximately 10-12 m, which makes detection easier. This process is called homogeneous nucleation. The CPC particle counter achieves the desired saturation value, usually 100-200%, by accurately adjusting the temperature saturation. The more uniform the saturation, the more accurate the CPC can detect the scattered light pulses scattered through the particles. Non-uniform and/or non-circular particles can lead to misunderstood or completely incorrect test results and highlight situations where CPC is more convenient than standard optical particle counters. Standard optical particle counters do not have the sensitivity to record particles at a threshold of about 50 nm. Condensing particle counters can count all particles up to 1 nm, depending on the model. CPC does not provide information about particle size, only the count.

Applications and general applications of condensing particle counters:

• Ventilator conformity test
• The filter test
• Indoor air quality survey
• Evaluation of mechanical filtration systems
• Point source monitoring
• Verify engineering or process control
• Light scattering particle counter in the air

Scattering Air Particle Counter Mechanism (LSAPC)

The light scattering particle counter is one of the most popular designs for monitoring and classifying clean room air quality. Also known as an optical particle counter, it is used to measure particle number concentrations and size ranges to validate mechanical filter systems and identify pollution sources. When particles pass through a beam, the light is scattered. Optical particle counters do not directly display particle size. It measures the diameter of the light scattered and floating in the air. The particle size (also known as particle size) is measured after the photon detector converts the size and frequency of the scattered light into an electrical signal. Useful measurements and data require high quality optical design and large Angle, large Angle lasers. The intracavity OPC design (see below) increases laser beam intensity by a factor of 100 or more.