Characteristics and Sampling Efficiency of PHTLAAS(TM) Air Sampler

This study was conducted to characterize three configurations of Portable High-Throughput Liquid-Absorption Air Sampler (PHTLAAS)(TM) (Zaromb Research Corporation, Hinsdale, IL). This is a light-weight, high-volume sampler that has a wetted wall cyclone as the aerosol collector. Three configurations of the PHTLAAS(TM) were tested: (1) the cyclone with a slit opening off axis to the center of the cyclone without liquid recirculation, (2) the cyclone with a circular inlet opening off axis to the cyclone without liquid recirculation, and (3) the cyclone with a slit opening off axis to the center of the cyclone with a liquid recirculation to wet the cyclone walls continuously. The sampling efficiency of the PHTLAAS(TM) was determined by fluorometer analysis of sampled monodisperse fluorescent polystyrene latex microspheres and sodium fluorescein tagged oleic acid particles. Results show the collection efficiency is relatively high (greater than 62% for 1-10 micrometer particles with a peak of 84% for 4 micrometer particles). The power consumption of the Configuration 3 sampler is 85.3 watts during sampling. Prepared in cooperation with Zaromb Research Corp., Hinsdale, IL.