Parallel Particle Impactor
Size-selective Samplers for Thoracic or Respirable PM

A New Sampling Option for Thoracic PM
- Collection efficiency precisely matches PM criteria
- Use with a sample pump at 2 L/min
- 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
- Only 3.3 ounces (94 grams) — ideal for personal or area sampling
- Thoracic model with a 10-µm cut-point is ideal for NIOSH Method
5524 and compounds with ACGIH® thoracic
TLVs®
- Respirable model with a 4-µm cut-point also 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 conventions. 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 50% cut point that
targets a specific segment of the selected convention.
- 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 convention than any other sampler available.
PPI models
are available
for thoracic (10-µm cut-point) or respirable (4-µm
cut-point) 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 PPIs and other available
size-selective samplers were compared.
Data in Figures 1 and 2 indicate 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 performance of the PPIs.
 |
Figure 1
(Click to enlarge) |
Figure 1. Comparison of penetration characteristics
measured for the respirable PPI Sampler and Higgins-Dewell Cyclone
using PST test particles
 |
Figure 2
(Click to enlarge)
|
Figure 2. Comparison of penetration
characteristics measured for the thoracic PPI Sampler, PEM 10 Sampler,
and GK2.69 Cyclone using PST test particles
Performance Profile
|
Sampling Rate |
2 L/min |
|
Sample Pump |
Universal or AirChek |
|
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), or 37-mm, 0.8-µm MCE filter
Use cellulose
pad or stainless steel screen for support.
Back pressure on PTFE
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 (94 gm) |
Each PPI sample requires:
- 1 filter
- 1 support
- 4 impaction substrates
All items are available separately.
Ordering Information
| Description |
Qty. |
Cat. No. |
| Thoracic PPI, 2 L/min, aluminum, requires substrates,
filters, and supports |
ea |
225-381 |
| Respirable PPI, 2 L/min, aluminum, requires substrates,
filters, and supports |
ea |
225-380 |
| Recommended Collection Filters for PPI, required
for sampling, select the filter appropriate for your application |
| PVC Filters, 37 mm, 5.0-µm pore
size |
50 |
225-8-01-1 |
PTFE Filters, 37 mm, 2.0-µm
pore size, with support pad, for metalworking fluids (NIOSH 5524)
Back pressure on PTFE filters can vary within the same lot. |
50 |
225-27-07 |
| MCE Filters, 37 mm, 0.8-µm pore
size, with support pad |
100 |
225-5 |
| Filter Supports, required for sampling; select either
cellulose or stainless steel |
| Support Pads, cellulose, 37 mm |
100 |
225-27 |
| Stainless Steel Screen, 37 mm, wide mesh |
ea |
225-26 |
| Impaction Substrates, 4 required for each sample |
| Porous Plastic Disks, 3/8-inch
diameter, pre-oiled, ready to use, disposable, limited shelf life |
200 |
225-388 |
| Accessories |
| Multi-purpose Calibration Jar |
ea |
225-111 |
| Forceps, stainless steel, with non-serrated flat tips |
ea |
225-8371 |
| Filter-Keeper, for transporting and
storing 37-mm filter samples |
10 |
225-8303A |
References
Trakumas, S., Hall, P., Personal Respirable Sampler Containing Four Impactors Arranged in Parallel, Abstracts of 23rd Annual AAAR Conference, Atlanta, GA, 2004, p. 78
Trakumas, S., Salter, E., "Parallel
Particle Impactor - Novel Size-selective Particle Sampler for Accurate
Fractioning of Inhalable Particles," Journal
of Physics: Conference Series 151 (2009), 16 pp., 012060
The link in Reference 2 is an author-created, un-copyedited version of an
article accepted for publication in the Journal of Physics: Conference Series
151. IOP Publishing Ltd. is not responsible for any errors or omissions in
this version of the manuscript or any version derived from it. The definitive
publisher authenticated version is available online. Go to http://dx.doi.org,
enter doi: 10.1088/1742-6596/151/1/012060.
Parallel
Particle Impactor Spec. Sheet (PDF)
Parallel
Particle Impactor Operating Instructions (PDF)
This page was last modified April 20, 2010