What is a TSP high volume air sampler?
A Total suspended particulate sampler or TSP high volume air sampler is used for the collection of total suspended particulate matter in ambient air with no preference to size selection. The US EPA reference method for the collection of TSP is called out in 40 CFR 50, appendix B. The TSP high volume air sampler collects particulate at a flow rate between 40-60 ft/³min over a constant sampling period. The TSP high volume air sampler is used to determine the concentration of total suspended particulates or it can be used to determine the identity of the particulates.
TSP high volume air samplers come in a variety of configurations. The basic system is composed of an anodized aluminum outdoor shelter with a gabled roof assembly. It will include a timing device to turn the instrument on and off, a filter holder to hold the filter media in place, a vacuum motor, a device to control the flow, a pressure recorder to record the flow rate, and an elapsed time indicator to count the sample time.
How does a TSP sampler work?
The TSP high volume air sampler collects total suspend particulates in the air. The vacuum motors pulls ambient air onto the 8″ x 10″ glass fiber filter at a flow rate between 36-60 cfm. TSP air particulate samplers do not use a particle separator which results in the collection of all ambient particluates. The glass fiber filters are weighed pre and post sample and the weight is used to determine the total suspended particulate matter.
Instrument Components
TSP particulate samplers are built with the same basic components. A motor, timer, flow controller, elapsed time indicator, outdoor aluminum shelter, and pressure recorder. Tisch Environmental uses only high quality components to ensure reliability and consistency. We offer a variety of options to give the user flexibility and to fit every unique sampling installation.
Flow Controller
Manual Flow Controlled: Manual adjusted motor speed controller.
Mass Flow Controlled(MFC): The Mass Flow Controller uses a hot wire anemometer to maintain a steady flow rate throughout the sampling period. The hot wire anemometer is inserted into the flow channel and detects changes in thermal mass to increase or decrease the motor speed.
Volumetric Flow Controlled(VFC): The VFC controller is a critical orifice with a predetermined hole diameter. The critical orifice is calibrated in a NIST traceable lab to determine the volumetric flow rate. The motor runs wide open and as air passes through the critical orifice,the sampler runs at a predetermined flow rate.
PLUS Technology (MFC): The PLUS technology MFC uses ambient temperature, ambient pressure, and a hot wire anemometer to maintain the set flow rate. This is the most accurate flow controller available. It also features an auto calibration function and digital timer.
PLUS Technology (VFC): The Plus Technology volumetric flow controller uses a combination of the critical orifice and the PLUS controller to calculate the ambient flow rate. The system uses the temperature, barometric pressure, and orifice pressure to calculate and record the ambient flow rate. The system also includes a digital timer.
Outdoor Shelter
Aluminum Outdoor Shelter: TSP high volume air samplers are housed in an anodized aluminum shelter with a gabled roof assembly. The shelter is designed to allow particulate matter to by drawn on to the filter from all four sides. The rugged construction of the outdoor enclosure allows it to withstand the elements with minimal maintenance.
Motor Type
Brush Style Motor: Brush Style motors use carbon motor brushes to conduct current within the electric motor. They are low cost but require routine motor brush changes.
Brushless Style Motor: Brushless motors do not use motor brushes or require maintenance. They are higher in cost and do not have any emissions.
Pressure Recorder
Dickson Chart Recorder: The Dickson chart recorder is a 4″ pressure cart recorder that records pressure variations over a 24 hour period. The chart recorder is attached to the motor back pressure and records the pressure on the 4″ recorder chart.
Timer Style
7-Day Mechanical Timer: Recognized by its bright yellow timer dial, the 7 day mechanical timer uses a series of on/off trippers to set the sampling schedule.
Digital Timer: Recommended by the US EPA, the digital timer allows for 1 in 3, 1 in 6, 1 in 7, and custom sampling schedules. Its internal battery backup ensures that the timer will not have to be reset after a power failure. It also includes an LCD screen and soft press buttons for easy use.
Elapsed Time Indicator
Elapsed Time Indicator: The elapsed time indicator is a mechanical clock the counts the hour and minutes that the instrument is actively collecting a sample. This device is used to track motor life, motor brusch changes, and to verify the sampling time.
