Page 6
224-G3 Issue E
www.skcltd.com
Respirable Dust Sampling using the Cyclone Sampler
Respirable dust is taken to be solid particles
which, because of their extremely small size, can
be drawn deep into the lungs, and are not ejected
by the normal means of breathing out, coughing
or travelling out in the lung mucus. It is because of
this ability to stay in the body that it is considered
to be dangerous. Dust of this small size is normally
invisible to the human eye. The respirable dust
fraction size is defined in the standard EN481.
More information is also given in SKC's Basic Step
By Step Guide (224-G1).
You will need :-
•
Universal sample pump (fully charged)
•
Cyclone sampler and cassette
•
A length of flexible tubing
•
Filter paper and pre-weighed filter paper from the
same box or batch
•
Flow calibration device capable of measuring 2.2
litre/min, such as the Defender primary calibrator
or a rotameter
•
Toolkit to adjust the pump flow rate
•
Filter transport cassette
0
5
0
5
0
5
3
3
2
2
1
1
0
0
The correct flow rate for the cyclone sampler is 2.2 litre/min
1. Mount the filter paper that is not pre-weighed into
the cyclone cassette as shown below. The easiest
way to place the filter in the cassette is as follows.
Cassette top
Filter support grid
Filter
Cassette bottom
Remove the top half of the cassette and place
it upside down on a flat surface, so that it looks
like a shallow bowl. Place the filter support grid
into the cassette top and place the filter on the
grid. Carefully pick up the cassette top with grid
and filter, and snap the cassette bottom onto the
cassette top. By assembling the filter cassette in
this way the filter remains located centrally on the
support grid.
2. Place the filter cassette into the cyclone sampler
body, mounting it with the embossed text 'SKC
TOP' facing upwards as shown in the figure to
the right. Check that an O ring is fitted into the
circular slot in the bottom face of the sampler
top, fit the sampler top over the cassette and
secure with the retaining ring, tightening firmly
to ensure a good seal. Make sure a grit pot is
