Commercial U.S. PM 10 instruments

Abstract

Andersen Samplers and its sister company, General Metal Works of the U.S., manufacture a wide range of particulate samplers for the collection of ambient particulate matter 10 micrometers or smaller, aerodynamic size (PM 10). These particles are considered inhalable by the human respiratory system, and July 1, 1987, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency promulgated new laws for the monitoring and control of these particles in the atmosphere. The distinctive technical description of each PM 10 instrument is described here. Historically, the most widely used instrument is the High Volume PM 10 Sampler (HVPM 10). A standard High Volume total suspended particulate sampler is modified with a size specific inlet, and flow controller to only allow particles smaller than 10 micrometers to collect on a Quartz micro-fiber filter. A Dichotomous PM 10, or Virtual Impactor, sampler is used in non-compliance areas where particulate control strategies must be developed. In addition to providing coarse and fine particle information, the dichotomous sampler facilitate chemical analysis of the collected particles on inert Teflon ® filters. Additionally, a new instrument, the PM 10 Automatic Seven-Day Sampler (PASS), is used for long sampling periods where only weekly service or transport of filters is required. Coarse PM 10 particles are collected on a 37mm Teflon ® filter. A continuous PM 10 monitor incorporating a Beta Gauge principle of particle concentration measurement has been introduced in the U.S. Andersen in agreement with FAG Kugelfischer Georg Schafer KGaA of W. Germany has incorporated a PM 10 size specific inlet to be used on the field proven Model FH62 IN. For source testing of PM 10 particle emissions, an isokinetic PM 10 source sampling system incorporating the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) principle has been introduced. This system has been received as a second generation of source particle sizing instrumentation.