Revisiting the size selective performance of EPA's high-volume total suspended particulate matter (Hi-Vol TSP) sampler

Figures & data

Table 1. Reported ranges of Hi-Vol effectiveness based on investigated experimental factors.

Factor	Reported Hi-Vol TSP efficiency
Operational state^1	107%^2, 110%–125%^3, 117%^4, 140%^5
Orientation	7%–100%^6, 30%–88%^7
Particle diameter	7%–100%^6, 43%–100%^7, 70%–95%^8, 72%–98%^9
Wind speed	7%–100%^6, 43%–100%^7, −36%^10

¹ Reported Hi-Vol TSP efficiency for operational state reflects increase in TSP due to passive deposition on filter.

² Chahal and Romano (1976);

³ Swinford (1980);

⁴ Sweitzer (1980);

⁵ Bruckman and Rubino (1976);

⁶ Wedding et al. (1977); depends on wind speed and particle size;

⁷ McFarland and Rodes (1979); depends on wind speed and particle size;

⁸ van der Meulen et al. (1984); depends on wind speed and particle size;

⁹ Watson et al. (1983); depends on wind speed and particle size;

¹⁰ Thanukos et al. (1977); negative value reflects particle loss due to filter blow-off.

Figure 1. EPA's aerosol wind tunnel with air flow direction, distances in meters, and important sections labeled: (a) aerosol generator, (b) oscillating fans to provide secondary flow and enhance horizontal mixing, and (c) test sampler location. Not drawn to scale.

Table 2. Custom dust mixtures.

	% (m/m)
Wind speed (km h^−1)	A4	10–20	20–40
2	20	80	—
8	—	20	80
24	—	20	80

Active and passive sampling tests used the same dust mixture for a given wind speed.

Figure 2. Hi-Vol TSP installed in aerosol wind tunnel: (a) isokinetic reference sampler on left side, (b) Hi-Vol TSP in 0° orientation, and (c) isokinetic reference sampler on right side. Embedded diagram of Hi-Vol TSP as viewed from above. Wind parallel to the roof ridge is 0°, wind perpendicular to the roof ridge is 90°, and wind approaching each corner is 45°.

Figure 3. Ratio of isokinetic sampler 1 (R₁) counts to isokinetic sampler 2 (R₂) counts for 2 km h⁻¹ and 90° orientation. Whiskers represent ± 1 standard deviation of replicate tests, n = 4.

Figure 4. Effectiveness of the Tisch Hi-Vol TSP operated at 50 cfm while sampling 2 km h⁻¹ wind at an orientation of 0°. Whiskers represent ± 1 standard deviation of replicate tests, n = 4.

Figure 5. Directional effectiveness of the Tisch Hi-Vol TSP operated at 50 cfm. Dots represent this study, open diamonds represent McFarland and Rodes (1979) data. Replicates for each condition were typically between 4 and 7.

Figure 6. Calculated omni-directional performance of the Hi-Vol TSP operated at 50 cfm. McFarland & Rodes 1 revolution per minute data points in solid markers.

Figure 7. Omni-directional passive sampling artifacts when in a non-operational state.

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