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Air Particulate Sampling

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OBJECTIVES
1. To provide hands on experience and enhance the understanding on the principle of filter

based ambient air sampling system using gravimetric sampling method. 2. To determine Total Suspended Particulate (TSP), Particulate Matter PM10 and Particulate Matter PM2.5. 3.0 INTRODUCTION

The MiniVol portable air sampler can be configured to collect either Particulate Matter (PM2.5), Particulate Matter (PM10), or Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) samples - but only one type at a time. The MiniVol's pump draws air at 5 liters/minute through a particle size separator (impactor) and then through a 47mm filter. The 10 micron or 2.5 micron particle separation is achieved by impaction, or a TSP sample can be collected by removing the impactor(s). The particulate sample is caught on the filter, which must be weighed pre- and post-exposure with a microbalance accurate to one microgram. Sampling results are reported in micrograms/cubic meter. The MiniVol comes equipped with low flow and low battery shut-offs and operates from a rechargeable, lead-acid battery. The battery can power the sampler for 24 hours of continuous sampling before the battery pack must be exchanged for a freshly charged one. The MiniVol also features a 7-day programmable timer, an elapsed time totalizer, and rugged PVC construction. A new corrected indicated flow rate must be established for each sampling project. This calibration ensures that the sampler has an ambient flow rate of 5 liters per minute and that there is consistent performance of the inertial size separator. The calibration accounts for the differing air temperatures and atmospheric pressures due to elevation and seasonal changes.

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METHODOLOGY Assemble air sampler in proper working order. Weigh 47 mm filter and load the filter in the Filter Assembly. Prepare the sampler as follows: i. TSP-TSP sampler does not require an impactor to be placed in the filter holder assembly. ii. PM10- Grease and clean the impactor`s target disk. Place a PM10 impactor in the filter holder assembly. iii. PM2.5- Grease and clean the impactor`s target disk. Place a PM2.5 impactor in the filter holder assembly and a PM10 impactor in a multiple impactor adapter mounted on the filter holder assembly tube.

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Transport the sampler to the field site and place the sampler on a firm level surface. Loosen the inlet tube compression nut and extend the inlet tube to the maximum height and re-tighten the nut. Attach the assembly to the top of the sampler inlet tube. Record ambient temperature, and ambient pressure. Open the sampler case. Press the ON/AUTO/OFF button to start the pump. Set the timer for 24 hours. To set the timer, (1) set the real-time clock to establish the correct time frame in which the cycles are to run, (2) enter the on/off times at which the programmed cycles are to begin and end and (3) set the timer to Auto mode. (1) Setting the real-time clock: i. Day Set: Hold down the CLOCK button and press the WEEK button until the correct day appears at the top of the display.
ii. Time Set (Hour): Hold down the CLOCK button and press the HOUR button until the

display indicates the correct hour. You may have to cycle through the hours twice to obtain the proper AM or PM (on the left side of the displays). Seconds will automatically reset to zero.
iii. Time Set (Minutes): Hold down the CLOCK button and press the MIN button until

the display indicates the correct minutes. Seconds will automatically reset to zero. (2) Setting the on/off times:
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Press the PROG button once. 1ON will appear near the lower left corner of the display indicating that the Power-on time for the first cycle is ready to be programmed.

ii. Press the HOUR and MIN buttons to enter the power-on time for the first cycle. iii. Press the WEEK button to select the desired day. The days appear along the top of the display.
iv. After you have entered the power-on time and date for the first cycle, press the PROG

button. 1OFF now appears on the display to indicate that the power-off for the first cycle is ready to be programmed. Repeat steps (ii) and (iii) to enter desired power-off time. v. Press the PROG button to step through the times you entered to make sure they are correct. (3) Setting AUTO mode: Turn the sampler OFF. Then press the ON/AUTO/OFF button until the bar is above the AUTO legend. 11. Using the Flow Rate Adjustment control set the flow meter set point (ISP) within specifications for the project temperature and pressure conditions. Take the reading of the flow meter from the center of the ball. Record the flow meter reading. 12. 13. 13. 14. Close the sampler case. Leave the air sampler overnight. Press the ON/AUTO/OFF button to stop the pump. Retrieve and weigh the exposed filter. Record ambient temperature, ambient pressure and flow meter readings. Calculate particulate matter concentration for each pollutant (see Appendix).

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RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS

Pollutants
Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Particulate Matter (PM10) Total Suspended Particulate (TSP)

PMact, g/m3

Your discussions may include the following questions:

1. Explain and compare your results with Malaysia, Canada and USA Ambient Air Quality

Guidelines (see Appendix). 2. Briefly explain the sources of air pollutants. 3. Explain the common equipments used in industry for reducing air pollutants. 4. Briefly explain the impacts of air pollution on the human health. 6.0 REFERENCES

Operation Manual of Minivol Tactical Air Sampler (Rev. 1.2), Air Metrics. Malaysia Environmental Quality Report. 2008. Department of Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Malaysia. APPENDIX

Pollutant Averaging time Guidelines, g/cm3 Malaysia Ambient Air Quality Guidelines Particulate Matter (PM10) 24h 150 Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) 24h 260 Canada Particulate Matter (PM2.5) 24h 30 United States of America Particulate Matter (PM10) 24h 150 Particulate Matter (PM2.5) 24h 35

Flow meter Set Point: P Tstd 5.0 act P T act std = mvol bvol

I SP

Particulate Matter concentration: PM act = M PM Vact

Volume at actual ambient conditions: Vact = 60 min/ hr Qact t hr 1000 l / m3

Air flow rate at ambient conditions: Qact = (mvol Qind + bvol )

determine Vact.

Pstd Tact , calculate Qact initial and final conditions and use the average Qact to Pact Tstd

Where;
ISP = Flow meter set point, liters/minute Pstd=Standard atmospheric pressure, 760mmHg Tstd=Standard temperature, 298K Pact=Actual ambient pressure, mmHg Tact=Actual ambient temperature, K bvol=0.1137 mvol=1.0277 Qact=Actual flow rate, liters/min Qind=Rotameter indicated flow rate, liters/min Vact=Air volume at actual ambient conditions, m3 thr=Sampling period, hrs PMact=Particulate matter concentration, g/m3 MPM=Mass of particulate matter collected on filter, g