Parallel Particle Impactor

A New Sampling Option for Thoracic PM

• Collection efficiency precisely matches new PM criteria
  
  
• Economical and reusable
– Uses any suitable 37-mm filter


• Disposable pre-oiled impaction substrates reduce particle bounce and buildup effects on sampling accuracy
– Sampling efficiency is not dependent on collected particle type


• Small size is ideal for personal or area sampling
  
  
• Thoracic model for NIOSH Method 5524 and compounds with ACGIH® Thoracic TLV®s
  
  
• Thoracic and respirable models available
  

Parallel Particle Impactor Spec. Sheet (PDF)

Parallel Particle Impactor Operating Instructions (PDF)

The PPI 4-in-1 Advantage

Only the patented* SKC Parallel Particle Impactor (PPI) has the power of 4 impactors in 1 small sampler to provide the closest match to the ACGIH/ISO/CEN thoracic or respirable curves. A job no single personal impactor can do alone!

* U.S. Patent No. 7,073,402

 

PPI Reduces Effects of Particle Buildup and Bounce

Disposable pre-oiled porous plastic impaction substrates reduce the negative effects particle buildup and bounce can have on sample accuracy by firmly trapping larger particles. Unlike other samplers, SKC PPI sampling efficiency is not dependent on the type of particle collected.

 

PPI — How it works The PPI contains four impactors arranged in parallel, each with a different cut-off size that targets a specific segment of the selected curve. A personal sample pump provides a 2 L/min flow to operate each impactor simultaneously, but independently. The sample collects on a single 37-mm filter and is analyzed gravimetrically to provide a respirable or thoracic result that is closer to the entire range of the selected curve than any other sampler available. PPI models are available for thoracic or respirable sampling at 2 L/min.

SKC PPI Performance

The Parallel Particle Impactor models were evaluated in a test chamber by measuring aerosol concentration upstream and downstream of the sampler using an Aerodynamic Particle Sizer. Potassium sodium tartrate (PST), dioctyl phthalate (DP), glass spheres (GS), and coal mine dust were used as test aerosol. Performance of the SKC PPIs and other available size-selective samplers were compared.

Data in Figures 1 and 2 indicate that the performance of the Respirable PPI and Thoracic PPI are in agreement with their respective ACGIH/CEN/ISO conventions. Experiments revealed that a load of approximately 6.4 mg of coal mine dust on the sampler substrates (impaction plates) did not adversely affect the performance of the SKC PPIs.

 

Figure 1 (Click to enlarge)

Figure 1. Comparison of penetration characteristics measured for the respirable PPI Sampler and Higgins-Dewell Cyclone. PST test particles were used.

 

Figure 2 (Click to enlarge)

Figure 2. Comparison of penetration characteristics measured for the thoracic PPI Sampler, PEM 10 Sampler, and GK2.69 Cyclone. PST test particles were used.

 

Performance Profile

Sampling Rate	2 L/min
Sample Pump	Universal or AirChek 2000
Sample Time	Dependent on method used
Sample Media	37-mm, 5.0-µm PVC filter, or 37-mm, 2.0-µm PTFE filter (NIOSH 5524) Use cellulose pad or stainless steel screen for support. Back pressure on PTFE (Teflon) filters can vary within the same lot.
Impaction Substrate	Four 3/8-in dia. pre-oiled porous plastic disks
Analysis	Gravimetric or other
Body Material	Conductive aluminum
Dimensions	Height (clip to exhaust): 3.74 in (9.4 cm)
Diameter	1.7 in (4.3 cm)
Depth	1.1 in (2.8 cm)
Weight	3.3 oz (93 gm)

For Sampling:
Each sample requires one filter, one support, and 4 substrates. The PPI includes 4 pre-oiled disposable substrates suitable for one sample. Subsequent samples require new substrates and filters.

Description	Qty.	Cat. No.
Thoracic PPI, 2 L/min, aluminum, requires substrates, filters, and supports	each	225-381
Respirable PPI, 2 L/min, aluminum, requires substrates, filters, and supports	each	225-380
Collection Filters for PPI, required for sampling, select the filter appropriate for your application	Qty.	Cat. No.
PVC Filters, 37 mm, 5.0-µm pore size	50	225-8-01-1
PTFE Filters, 37 mm, 2.0-µm pore size for metalworking fluids (NIOSH 5524) Back pressure on PTFE (Teflon) filters can vary within the same lot.	50	225-27-07
Filter Supports, required for sampling; select either cellulose or stainless steel	Qty.	Cat. No.
Support Pads, cellulose, 37 mm	100	225-27
Stainless Steel Screen, 37 mm, wide mesh	each	225-26
Impaction Substrates, 4 required for each sample	Qty.	Cat. No.
Porous Plastic Disks, 3/8-in dia., pre-oiled, ready to use, disposable, limited shelf life	200	225-388
Accessories	Qty.	Cat. No.
Multi-purpose Calibration Jar	each	225-111
Forceps, stainless steel, with non-serrated flat tips	each	225-8371
Petri Dish Slide, for transport of 47-mm filters	100	225-2-01
Filter-Keeper, for transporting and storing 37-mm filter samples	100	225-8303

Reference

1	Trakumas, S., Hall, P., Personal Respirable Sampler Containing Four Impactors Arranged in Parallel, Abstracts of 23rd Annual AAAR Conference, Atlanta, GA, 2004, p. 78

 

Parallel Particle Impactor Spec. Sheet (PDF)

Parallel Particle Impactor Operating Instructions (PDF)

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This page was last modified April 21, 2008