Characterization of the Gent Stacked Filter Unit PM₁₀Sampler

TLDR

The development of a PM10 sampler was a key component of several IAEA‑sponsored coordinated research programmes on ambient airborne particle sampling and analysis. The study aimed to characterize the sampler’s aerodynamic collection efficiency and mass collection reproducibility through a series of characterization experiments. Each participating group received identical samplers, which were compared to a Belgian‑built unit, operated alongside a commercial PM10 beta gauge and an IMPROVE 2.5 µm cyclone, to assess aerodynamic performance and reproducibility. The sampler achieved collection efficiencies that generally meet PM10 guidelines, despite lacking wind‑tunnel certification.

Abstract

ABSTRACT An integral part of several International Atomic Energy Agency sponsored coordinated research programmes involving the sampling and analysis of ambient airborne particules was the development of a PM10 sampler. Each participant was provided with such a sampler so that comparable samples would be obtained by each of the participating groups. Thus, in order to understand the characteristics of this sampler, we undertoke several characterization studies in which we examined the aerodynamic collection characteristics of the impactor inlet and the reproducibility of the sample mass collection. One of the samplers machined in Belgium was compared with one built from the same design in the U.S. and comparable results were obtained. The sampler was operated side-by-side with a commercial PM10 beta gauge and an IMPROVE-design 2.5 μm cut-point cyclone. Although the sampler was not wind tunnel tested as required for certification as a reference sampler, it does provide a collection efficiency that generally follows the guidelines for a PM10 sampler.