AIR POLLUTION ANALYSIS

Suspended particulate matter (SPM)

INTRODUCTION:

The high volume air sampler is one of the common instruments used
for collection of suspended particulate matter. Suspended particulate
matter whose size ranges from 1- 100 microns will not be settled
because of its non-settability by gravity. Hence a suction pump is used
to suck the suspended particulate matter and allow the particulate
laden air to pass through the filter paper whose pore size is about 3
microns.

Prescription of high volume sampler:

The sampler unit may be divided into 3 parts,

1) The face plate and gasket

2) The filter adopter assembly and

3) The mortar or blower unit. The glass fiber filter paper (whatman
GF/A; HH) having a size of 20cm*25cm is to be used. The blower must
be capable of continuous operation for 24 hours with input voltage
ranging from 220- 230 volts. The motor should have a capacity to draw
1 – 3m3/minute of air. It is important that the sampler must be properly
installed in a suitable shelter. The material of the shelter should not be
effected due to temperature, humidity, rain or any other types of air
pollutions. The shelter must be provided with a roof so that the filter is
protected from prescription.
 Apparatus required:
 High volume air sampler
 Switchboard with lengthy wire
 Thermometer
 Darometer

Procedure for particulate matter sampling:

Check the fibre glass filter paper wheather it has any pinholes, particles
or other imperfection. Dry the filter paper in a hot air oven at 105
degree c for one hour and weigh the filter paper (w1).

Connect the sampler to the electrical supply and test the blower and
switch off. Open the shelter, loosen the wing nuts and remove the face
plate from the filter holder. Place the filter paper (rough side up) on the
supporter moshes and replace the face plate and fasten the nuts
securely. Under tightening will allow air leakage, overtightening will
damage the sponge rubber face plate gasket. Close the gable roof and
pad-lock it with the hasps provided on the cabinet on the purpose. Set
the timer for the pre-decided duration of monitoring. Set the time
totalizer to read zero minutes. Fill the colored water in the flow meter
and adjust the mimiscus align to the ‘o’ marking of the measuring scale.
Put the toggle switch on to start the motor. After 5 minutes, note the
flow rate.

The motor sucks the ambient air through the annulus clearance kept
between the top of the shelter and the gable roof. While the ambient
air passes through the filter paper under suction force of mortar,
particulate matter of all the sizes greater than the micro porosity of the
filter paper will be deposited on the filter paper. As the process
continues the loading of the particulates on the filter paper gradually
increases resulting in increasing the vaccum pressure under the filter
paper due to the restriction of the air flow rate. At the end of sampling
period, note the flow rate and also note the closing time. Note down
the time for power failure or instrument break down. Switch off the
mortar and remove the face plate very carefully. Remove the filter
paper from the holder and keep it in a hot air oven at 105 degree for 1
hour and cool. Weigh the sample paper with sample [w2]. The
difference in weight of the filter paper, before and after the sampling
period, will give the weight of the sample particulate matter (SPM)
collected on the filter paper. The known value of the ambient air
sampled and the weight of the particulate matter, reveal the
concentration of the polluting particulates in the ambient air in terms
of PPM (Particulate per meter3).

CALCULATION
Average pressure of the day at station level = ________mm of Hg

Average temperature =_________◦ C

Total sampling time (A) =_________mins.

Power failure (B) =_________

Net sampling time (A-B) =_________mins.

SAMPLING RATE:

Initial =______cuft/min

Final =______cuft/min

Average =______cuft/min

CORRECTION OF TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE

PV P 1 V 1
V
= T1

760× V ¿ ¿ cuft ׿
= ¿
298 ¿

298 ׿ cuft ׿
V=
¿ ¿ ℉ ×760

V= ______cft

V = _______cu.met.

Weight of blank filter paper = W1 gm.

Weight of filter paper + particulate matter = W2 gm.

Weight of particulate matter = (W2-W1) gm.

= W3 gm × 106.

=________ μg
Weight of SPM
Particulate matter concentration = volume of air sampled

=____________ μg/m 3.