Air Sampling Pumps

What is an air sampling pump and how does it work?

An air sampling pump is a device used to collect air samples for analysis in a laboratory. It works by drawing a known volume of air through a filter or other sampling media to collect airborne contaminants, such as dust, gases, or vapors. The pump typically has a flow control valve that sets the flow rate, which is usually measured in liters per minute (L/min) or cubic feet per minute (CFM). The collected samples are then analyzed for the presence and concentration of specific contaminants, which can be used to assess the quality of the air in a particular environment or to evaluate exposure risks for workers or the general public.

What are the different types of air sampling pumps available?

There are several types of air sampling pumps available, including personal air sampling pumps, area air sampling pumps, and stack air sampling pumps. Personal air sampling pumps are small and portable, designed to be worn by an individual to measure their exposure to airborne contaminants. Area air sampling pumps are larger and used to monitor air quality in a specific area, such as a room or building. Stack air sampling pumps are used to measure emissions from industrial stacks and are typically larger and more robust than personal or area air sampling pumps.

What are the benefits of using an air sampling pump for air quality monitoring?

There are several benefits to using an air sampling pump for air quality monitoring, including:

• Accurate results: Air sampling pumps can provide accurate and precise measurements of various pollutants in the air, such as particulate matter, gases, and vapors.
• Portable and versatile: Air sampling pumps are usually small and portable, making them easy to use in a variety of settings, such as industrial sites, laboratories, and outdoor environments.
• Cost-effective: Air sampling pumps are relatively inexpensive compared to other air monitoring equipment, making them a cost-effective option for air quality monitoring.
• Easy to use: Air sampling pumps are typically easy to use, with simple controls and settings, making them accessible to a wide range of users.
• Compliance with regulations: Air sampling pumps are often used to comply with regulations and standards related to occupational health and safety, environmental protection, and other regulatory requirements.
• Real-time monitoring: Some air sampling pumps offer real-time monitoring capabilities, allowing users to track changes in air quality over time and respond quickly to potential risks or hazards.

What are some common applications for air sampling pumps?

Air sampling pumps are used in a variety of applications for air quality monitoring. Some common applications include occupational health and safety monitoring for worker exposure to harmful chemicals, gases, or particulate matter, environmental monitoring for air pollution, indoor air quality assessments in buildings, and research studies on air quality and atmospheric pollutants. They are also used in emergency response situations to quickly assess the level of hazardous substances in the air.

What are the key features to look for when selecting an air sampling pump?

When selecting an air sampling pump, it is important to consider several key features such as:

• Flow rate: The flow rate determines the amount of air that can be sampled per unit time. It is important to choose a pump with a flow rate that meets the specific sampling requirements.
• Battery life: Battery life is an important consideration for field use, as the pump should be able to operate for an extended period of time without requiring frequent battery changes or recharges.
• Portability: Portability is important for field use, and factors such as size, weight, and ease of use should be considered when selecting an air sampling pump.
• Pump type: The type of pump can impact the sampling results, and different pump types are better suited for different sampling applications. For example, diaphragm pumps are ideal for low flow sampling, while rotary vane pumps are better suited for high flow applications.
• Noise level: The noise level of the pump should be considered, especially if the pump is going to be used in an area where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum.
• Calibration: The pump should be easy to calibrate and maintain, with a clear indication of when calibration is required.
• Data logging: Data logging capabilities can be useful for tracking and analyzing sampling data, and should be considered when selecting an air sampling pump.

How do I properly calibrate and maintain my air sampling pump?

Proper calibration and maintenance of an air sampling pump are important for accurate and reliable results. The specific calibration and maintenance procedures will vary depending on the manufacturer and model of the pump, so it is important to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.

In general, calibration involves checking the pump’s flow rate using a calibrated flow meter or other device. The pump should be calibrated before each use, and if the pump fails a calibration check, it should be repaired or replaced.

Maintenance of the pump may include regular cleaning, checking for wear or damage to the pump’s components, and replacing filters or other consumable parts as needed. Some pumps may require periodic lubrication or other maintenance tasks.

It is important to keep records of calibration and maintenance activities for each pump to ensure that they are properly maintained and operating correctly.

What are some safety precautions to consider when using an air sampling pump?

When using an air sampling pump, it is important to consider the following safety precautions:

• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including gloves and safety glasses, to protect yourself from any potentially hazardous materials.
• Follow proper handling and disposal procedures for any collected samples, as some may be hazardous and require special handling.
• Ensure that the pump is properly calibrated and maintained to ensure accurate and safe results.
• Follow all manufacturer instructions and guidelines for the specific pump being used.
• Use the pump in a well-ventilated area to minimize exposure to any collected samples.
• Always turn off the pump before opening the filter or sampling tube.
• Use a pump with a safety feature that will shut it off if it overheats or if the flow is restricted.
• Always use the appropriate filter or sampling media for the specific material being collected.
• Keep the pump and all associated equipment clean and free of debris to prevent contamination or malfunctions.
• Properly label and document all samples collected, including the time and location of the sample.

Can an air sampling pump be used for indoor air quality monitoring?

Yes, an air sampling pump can be used for indoor air quality monitoring. In fact, it is one of the most common applications for air sampling pumps. Indoor air quality can be affected by a variety of factors such as building materials, HVAC systems, and indoor pollutants from sources like cleaning products, smoking, and cooking. Air sampling pumps can be used to collect samples for analysis of indoor pollutants such as particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and gases. This can help identify potential sources of indoor air pollution and allow for targeted remediation efforts.

Are there any regulations or standards that dictate the use of air sampling pumps for air quality monitoring?

Yes, there are several regulations and standards that dictate the use of air sampling pumps for air quality monitoring. In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established standards for exposure limits to certain airborne contaminants in the workplace, and air sampling pumps are often used to measure and monitor exposure levels. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) also provides guidelines and recommendations for air sampling pump use in various industries.

Additionally, there are international standards such as ISO 16000-1 and ISO 16000-2 that provide guidance on sampling methods for indoor air quality monitoring, including the use of air sampling pumps. These standards provide detailed instructions on the use of pumps and other equipment to ensure accurate and reliable sampling.

How to choose the right air sampling pump for my workplace?

When choosing an air sampling pump for your workplace, consider factors such as flow rate, battery life, size and weight, and compatibility with sampling media. It is also important to ensure that the pump meets relevant regulations and standards for air quality monitoring. Inteccon offers a range of high-quality air sampling pumps designed to meet the needs of various industries and applications.

Sensidyne

Sensidyne is a well-established manufacturer and distributor of gas detection and air sampling instrumentation. They offer a broad range of products to process, manufacturing and infrastructure industries worldwide, including air monitoring instrumentation, fixed gas detection, sound and vibration measurement, and heat stress analysis. With over 35 years of experience, Sensidyne has become a technology leader in fixed gas detection, providing high-quality products, expert customer service, and technical support. Their brands include Gilian, BDX, SensAlert, SensAlarm, Sensidyne Colorimetric Gas Detector Tubes, and more. Sensidyne is committed to providing reliable and cutting-edge technology to ensure the safety of people and the environment.

GilAir Plus

The GilAir® Plus is a versatile and high-performance air sampling pump suitable for sampling particulates, vapors, gases, and metal fumes in various environments. With its patent-pending QuadModeSM air sampling technology, the GilAir® Plus can perform both high-flow constant pressure and constant flow and low-flow constant pressure and constant flow with a single pump without external adaptors. It is easy to use, ergonomically designed, and provides multi-language capability. The pump comes with a PC application that provides ambient or standard temperature and pressure corrected display and data-logging for up to 16 sampling events. The GilAir® Plus is distributed by Inteccon.

GilAir 3500 / GilAir 5000

The Gilian® 3500 & 5000 air sampling pumps are industry-leading devices that offer superior back-pressure performance, reliability, and ease-of-use. With flow rates up to 3500 & 5000 cc/min respectively, these pumps are perfect for sampling particulates, vapors, gases, and metal fumes. Advanced features of the Gilian® 3500 & 5000 pumps include an air flow display that holds calibration for 30 days, even with atmospheric changes, and the highest back-pressure capabilities in the industry for any personal sampling pump. These pumps are the ideal solution for any workplace that requires accurate and reliable air sampling.

GilAir 3 / GilAir 5

The GilAir® pumps (GilAir-3 & GilAir-5) are highly reliable and recognized as one of the most popular air sampling pumps worldwide. These pumps are equipped with an automatic constant flow feature that ensures sampling is maintained within ±5% of the initial set point. This feature is essential for maintaining accuracy, even in cases of varying back-pressures or filter buildup. The GilAir-3 & GilAir-5 pumps are user-friendly and require no special adjustment tools to set flow rate, making configuration fast and easy. These pumps are versatile and suitable for various sampling media, including pull-through and bag sampling, as well as other pressure applications.

LFS-113

The LFS-113 is a low flow air sampling pump designed for flow rates between 1 cc/min and 350 cc/min. This compact and lightweight pump is ideal for very low flow applications sampling with sorbent tubes and can easily fit inside a shirt pocket. It offers dual mode automatic constant flow or constant pressure control, multi-flow capacity, a flow fault indicator light, and a clock model with elapsed time display, among other features. The LFS-113 is the most powerful and reliable pocket-sized personal air sampler available today, offering two sampling modes, high back-pressure capability, and approvals from UL-US, CSA, C-US, and ATEX.

Gilian10i

The Gilian10i is a high flow personal air sampling pump that is ideal for applications requiring flow rates between 5 LPM and 10 LPM. It features a NiMH memory-free battery with a quick-charge time of under 4 hours, eliminating shipping and disposal issues. The pump also offers programmable functionality with a four-stage program that allows scheduled sampling or intermittent duty cycles and a programmable delayed start. Its simple four-button design makes the pump easy to understand and operate, and it has a lock-out feature for added safety. The Gilian10i features a large display that continuously shows real-time flow, total sample time, and total volume sampled. It is also certified Intrinsically Safe for use in explosive environments.

Gilian 800i

The powerful low flow personal air sampling pump is an ideal solution for EPA VOC’s monitoring and compliance with European EN 1232 requirements for Type-G personalized sampling pump performance in workplace environments. With a back pressure and flow range well-suited for monitoring volatile organic compounds, this pump features programmable functionality with four-stage programs, repeat cycling, scheduled sampling, intermittent duty cycles, and a programmable delayed start. It also has an intuitive four-button design with lock-out feature, a live flow display that continuously shows real-time flow, total sample time, and total volume sampled, and is certified Intrinsically Safe for use in hazardous environments.

Gilian 12

The Gilian 12 is a high flow personal air sampling pump designed for applications that require a flow rate between 4LPM and 12 LPM. With its high flow capability, the Gilian 12 is an ideal pump for applications such as environmental monitoring or industrial hygiene testing. The pump features a NiMH memory-free battery that can be quickly charged in under 4 hours, eliminating the need for shipping and disposal. It also has a four-stage programmable function, allowing scheduled sampling or intermittent duty cycles, and a lock-out feature for intuitive operation. The large display provides real-time flow, total sample time, and total volume sampled, and the special flow control circuitry automatically compensates for changes in flow rate, back-pressure, and temperature.

Aircon 2

The environmental sampling pump with a volumetric flow of 2-30 L / min is a highly efficient device designed for taking samples that require this flow rate. The pump comes with a programmable function, an LCD screen, and an operation keyboard to make it user-friendly. It also features failure mode indicators, which alert the user in case of any issues. The pump is equipped with a battery module that can provide up to 4 hours of continuous operation. The easy-to-use device allows you to record and sample pressure with just one button.

BDX II

The Gilian BDX-II is an air sampling pump that is designed for abatement and lead applications. This rugged and reliable pump is optimized for sample methods ranging from 500 cc/min to 3000 cc/min. The BDX-II is powered by a rechargeable NiCd battery that provides up to 10 hours of operation on a single charge. This pump has an electronic flow control adjustment which allows for longer lasting parts and less maintenance. It is UL approved for operation in hazardous areas and is an economical alternative to higher-priced constant flow air sampling pumps. The BDX-II is compact, lightweight, and easy to use, making it the ideal choice for abatement sampling.