Real Time Monitoring Using Particulate Samplers  

Ecotech (Australia) is pleased to announce the release of a real time particulate module for use with its range of particulate samplers. High Volume Air Samplers are designed to sample ambient air through a pre-weighed filter for 24 hours after which the filter is weighed and PM concentration calculated. While there are approved methods for semi-real time monitoring such as the Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM) and Beta Attenuation Monitors these instruments are costly, require significant maintenance as well as an air conditioned enclosures.

The real-time particulate module is combined with a high volume air sampler providing both instantaneous measurements of PM10 or PM2.5, along with compliance data collected by the sampler.

The HighVol 3000 high volume air sampler is U.S. EPA approved as a Reference Method for PM10 sampling and can also be fitted with a PM2.5 inlet. Combining it with the new Real Time Particulate Module enables near real time measurement of ambient PM concentrations to be measured and logged by the sampler. Measurements made by the real time monitor can be logged as one, five, ten, 15 or 30 minute averages.

The Real Time Module conditions air samples for RH then passes them through a forward light scatter laser nephelometer engine where the particulate mass is measured. A purge system protects the optics from excessive exposure to dust particles. The mass signal is continuously scaled to an analog voltage output which represents the real-time particulate concentration
The sampler can be fitted with a modem for remote downloading of data such as particulate concentration, flow, wind speed and direction. Gravimetric data calculated from weighing of the high volume samplers filter can be used to create a correlation factor for the real time monitor or can be used to backwardly correct data measured by the real time module.

The Real Time Module is compatible with the Ecotech HiVol 3000 high volume air sampler, MicroVol 1100 low volume air sampler and the Ecotech Serinus range of gas analyzers. In fact it can be used with a variety of other instruments such as the Met One BAM1020.