Aerosol Test 

Facility at Facility at Research Triangle Park

National Homeland 

Security Research Center

O F F I C E O F R E S E A R C H

A N D D E V E L O P M E N T ADVANCING OU

R

NATION

’

SSECURITY

THROUGHSCIENCE

Small aerosol chamber (below), a researcher 

with aerosol measurement equipment 

(above), and an adult- (above), and an adultsized heated, breathing sized heated, breathing 

manikin (right) for manikin (right) for 

human exposure 

testing 

United States

Environmental Protection

Agency

United StatesEnvironmental ProtectionAgencyOffi ce of Research and DevelopmentNational Homeland Security Research CenterCincinnati, OH 45268Offi cial BusinessPenalty for Private Use$300EPA/600/F-06/001February 2006

PRESORTED STANDARDPOSTAGE & FEES PAIDEPAPERMIT NO. G-35

Aerosol Test Facility 

at Research Triangle Park

EPA’s Aerosol Test Facility (ATF) is 

located in Research Triangle Park, North 

Carolina. It is available to outside 

agencies and businesses for research agencies and businesses for research

into the behavior of aerosols 

under controlled conditions. 

Researchers, engineers, and 

product designers can obtain 

highly accurate data that will 

form a scientifically sound basis 

for their decisions.

The EPA Aerosol Test Facility includes 

one of the largest aerosol wind tunnels 

in the world. It has a cross-section of 

4 x 4 meters and can be used with 

full-sized adult manikins. 

The ATF offers agencies or businesses 

all the advantages of a large test facility 

— without the upfront investment in 

equipment and continuing upgrades. 

For additional information on this facility, 

or on NHSRC products or tools, visit us at 

www.epa.gov/nhsrc.

Using Our Facilities 

EPA’s campus in Research Triangle Park 

is home to one of the world’s largest 

groups of scientists, engineers, policy 

makers, and administrators dedicated makers, and administrators dedicated

to understanding and solving 

environmental problems. Specialty 

laboratories and other unique 

research resources can be used by 

scientists and engineers in other 

federal and state 

agencies, academic agencies, academic

institutions, organizations, institutions, organizations,

and companies. Provisions and companies. Provisions

are in place to ensure 

that EPA research will 

not be affected by 

any agreements with 

other users. EPA’s research other users. EPA’s research

and development ATF may and development ATF may

be used for a variety of 

research purposes. To find research purposes. To find

out more about how your out more about how your

agency, business, or 

organization can participate, organization can participate,

please contact: 

Russell W. Wiener

NHSRC

USEPA D-205-03

Research Triangle Park, NC 27711

(919) 541-1910

wiener.russell@epa.gov

André Reinhart

163 USEPA Facilities

26 West Martin Luther King Drive

Cincinnati, OH 45268

(513) 487-2119

reinhart.andre@epa.gov
Effective Research Tools

Research Areas for Possible Research Areas for Possible 

Exploration at the ATF Exploration at the ATF

• Aerosol generation and sampling

• Wind tunnels with separate human

exposure (low velocity) and

atmospheric exposure test sections

• Particle Digital Image Velocimetry

(PDIV) and three-dimensional

Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV)

measurement

• Experimental and numerical tools for

fluid and particle dynamics

The ATF has a heat exchanger and

humidification/dehumidification system

to ensure constant temperature and

humidity. Large filters are strategically

located in the test section, at the

safety screen, and just before the heat

exchanger. Doors are equipped with

Magnalock switches for safe and easy

release.

• Aerosol and gas transport, dispersion, transport, dispersion,

and dynamics

• Aerosol residence time and decay Aerosol residence time and decay

• Wake/eddy/stream/turbulence Wake/eddy/stream/turbulence

• Ventilation characterization Ventilation characterization

• Particle collector research and design Particle collector research and design

• Isokinetic sampling comparisons Isokinetic sampling comparisons

• Flow-rate behaviors 

• Aerodynamic interactions

• Human exposure

• Concept/prototype verification Concept/prototype verification

• Technology verification

ATF Essentials

The ATF’s experimental and

computational fluid and particle

dynamics tools enable researchers

to determine and compare aerosol

residence time, velocity, and turbulence

characteristics at various points within

the test room.