Investigation of forward scattering in dust concentration measurement: A robust design

Abstract With the increasing stringency of environmental protection regulations, the detection and control of dust pollution have garnered significant attention. Among the various principles for measuring dust concentration, forward scattering is one of the most widely applied due to its simple measurement mechanism, ease of mechanical processing, low equipment cost, and straightforward data acquisition. This principle has been favored by many industrial equipment manufacturers. This paper investigates the feasibility of applying the forward scattering method in dust concentration measurement. Specifically, the study first outlines the commonly used methods for measuring dust concentration and then elaborates on the application of the forward scattering effect in optical-based dust concentration measurements. Secondly, a novel dust measurement device based on the forward scattering principle is proposed, and its overall design and key components are described in detail. Thirdly, an experimental prototype of the device was developed based on the proposed design. Tests conducted on the prototype demonstrated that it meets the design requirements, showing satisfactory results in both the 7-day zero drift test and the range drift test. The proposed device is characterized by its compact size, ease of operation, and high measurement accuracy. The experimental results underscore the significance of the forward scattering effect in dust concentration measurement, indicating that the proposed device design holds substantial industrial production value.