Investigation on Nano Particulate Aerosol at Idling Conditions of Vehicles

In general, Engine will emit more particulate tailpipe emissions during idling and acceleration conditions. This is a common phenomenon in location such as Toll Plazas which has one of the highest number of vehicle density in urban areas. Therefore the study of aerosol particulates characteristics like average particle concentration and average particle diameter in air is important. The objective of this work is to describe the process of measurement and analysis of ambient Nano Particulate Matter at a Toll Plaza in a Tier II city. A nano particulate counter was used to measure particulate samples and it was mounted at a position that best replicates human exposure to the pollutants. The measurement was carried out for duration of 20 consecutive days and the time of the measurement was planned so as to cover peak traffic time experienced at the Toll Plaza. Particulate number concentration was measured at varying vehicle densities and also at different wind speeds. The results revealed that high concentration was observed for an increase in vehicle concentration as anticipated. Also high number concentration was observed for smaller particulate size (diameter 20 to 80 μm). The relation with number concentration and wind speed was inconclusive.