Characterization of the Gent Stacked Filter Unit PM₁₀ Sampler

ABSTRACT

An integral part of several International Atomic Energy Agency sponsored coordinated research programmes involving the sampling and analysis of ambient airborne particules was the development of a PM₁₀ sampler. Each participant was provided with such a sampler so that comparable samples would be obtained by each of the participating groups. Thus, in order to understand the characteristics of this sampler, we undertoke several characterization studies in which we examined the aerodynamic collection characteristics of the impactor inlet and the reproducibility of the sample mass collection. One of the samplers machined in Belgium was compared with one built from the same design in the U.S. and comparable results were obtained. The sampler was operated side-by-side with a commercial PM₁₀ beta gauge and an IMPROVE-design 2.5 μm cut-point cyclone. Although the sampler was not wind tunnel tested as required for certification as a reference sampler, it does provide a collection efficiency that generally follows the guidelines for a PM₁₀ sampler.