The concentration and size distribution of airborne ferromagnetic particles

Abstract

A description of a device to remove ferromagnetic particles from an airflow is given. The instrument utilizes several sets of permanent magnets for the creation of a magnetic field of high inhomogeneity. A geometrically similar device without magnets serves as a reference precipitator. The particles were deposited onto electron microscope grids in the precipitators by magnetic and/or other forces. In comparing the size and number of particles on the grids of the precipitators, a “difference” distribution could be constructed. This is regarded as representing the spatial size distribution of airborne ferromagnetic particles. The significance and possible applications of the results are discussed.