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Published on: January 7, 2019
Solid versus liquid particle sampling efficiency of three personal aerosol samplers when facing the wind
Kirsten A Koehler1, T Renee Anthony, Michael Van Dyke
1Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1681, USA.
The Annals of Occupational Hygiene
|October 4, 2011
Summary
Particle phase significantly impacts personal aerosol sampler efficiency. Solid particles can be over- or underestimated, while liquid particles are often underestimated, especially with screened inlets.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Aerosol Science and Technology
- Environmental Monitoring
Background:
- Accurate personal aerosol sampling is crucial for assessing workplace exposure to airborne contaminants.
- Existing personal aerosol samplers exhibit variable facing-the-wind sampling efficiencies, influenced by particle characteristics.
- The personal high-flow inhalable sampler head (PHISH) was developed to improve inhalable aerosol collection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the facing-the-wind sampling efficiency of the IOM, Button, and prototype PHISH aerosol samplers.
- To determine the influence of particle phase (solid vs. liquid) on sampler performance.
- To compare sampler efficiencies against a mouth-breathing mannequin's facing-wind aspiration efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Tested three personal aerosol samplers: IOM, Button, and two PHISH prototypes (screened and open-face inlets).
- Utilized a bluff-body disc rotated along the facing-the-wind axis in low-velocity wind tunnels.
- Compared experimental data to published facing-wind aspiration efficiency data for a mannequin.
Main Results:
- The IOM sampler consistently oversampled compared to the mannequin.
- The Button sampler performed closer to the mannequin for solid particles but underestimated liquid particles due to its screened inlet.
- The open-face PHISH overestimated solid particles and underestimated liquid particles; the screened PHISH showed similar trends to the Button sampler.
- Significant differences in sampling efficiency were observed between solid and liquid particles, particularly for screened samplers.
Conclusions:
- Particle phase (solid vs. liquid) critically affects the aspiration and sampling efficiency of personal aerosol samplers.
- Screened inlets on samplers like the Button and screened PHISH can significantly impede liquid particle collection.
- Particle bounce and droplet penetration are key factors influencing sampler performance, especially for screened inlets.
