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)

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This page was last modified April 20, 2010