ABSTRACT

Currently, total suspended particulate (TSP) high volume samplers use axial flow fans to draw a sample of particulate matter that collects onto a glass filter. These samplers have an inherent error of the airflow variation with the axial flow fans. A new sampler design has been developed and tested by the Texas A&M University Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department. The design of the TAMU HiVol TSP Sampler integrates ease of use and allows for more consistent flow rates. A centrifugal fan is used to pull air through a filter cartridge. This corrects for the error of airflow variation with the axial flow fans. With the centrifugal fan, Teflon filters may be used in place of glass fiber filters. By using Teflon filters, the particle size distribution (PSD) of the filtrate can be found directly using a particle sizer such as the Beckman Coulter-Counter Multisizer 3. It is difficult to obtain accurate PSDs for PM captured on glass fiber filters because the background particulate matter from the filter media can confound the results. From the PSD, the mass fraction of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 can be determined. As an added convenience, the new sampler design incorporates an improved method of changing filters and allows for easy storage, setup and takedown.