Cyclones

A CENTRIFUGAL FORCE
IN AIR SAMPLING

A Presentation by
SKC Inc.

www.skcinc.com
SIZE-SELECTIVE SAMPLING
TRADITIONAL CRITERIA
FOR PARTICULATE MATTER

 Total  Respirable
SIZE-SELECTIVE SAMPLING
NEW INTERNATIONAL CRITERIA

•Inhalable
•Thoracic
•Respirable
 RELATIVE SIZE OF PARTICLES

• Respirable:
RESPIRABLE 4 micron
• Thoracic:
THORACIC
10 micron
• Inhalable:
100 micron
INHALABLE

1 4 7 10 30 100
 CYCLONES
 Traditional workplace
samplers for respirable
particulate matter
 Named for the rotation
of air within the
chamber
 Function on the same
principle as a centrifuge
 Use rapid circulation of
air to separate particles
according to their
aerodynamic diameter
 WHY USE A CYCLONE?
 Some sampling methods  Cyclones enable collection
require collection of the of the respirable fraction
respirable fraction of only
particulates. Respirable  Collecting larger, non-
particulates are: respirable particulates
 Smaller than 10 microns would inflate results of
in diameter sample, overestimating
 Penetrate deep into the exposure
gas exchange region of
the lung
 WHY USE A CYCLONE ?
 Cyclones separate
larger, non-respirable
particles from smaller, Small
respirable particles particles are
whirled up
into the filter
Large
particles fall
into the red
“grit pot”
 50% CUT-POINT:
A PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION

 The 50% cut-point is  Particles smaller than

often used to describe the 50% cut-point are
the performance of size collected with an
selective samplers efficiency greater
 It is the particle size than 50%.
that the device can  Larger particles are
collect with 50% collected with an
efficiency efficiency less than
50%
 50% CUT-POINT ON THE
COLLECTION EFFICIENCY CURVE

50% cut point

is 4 µm
 THE NEW INTERNATIONAL
CRITERIA
 Specifies a 50% cut-
point of 4 μm for
respirable dust
samplers, including
cyclones
 This criteria has been
adopted by ACGIH,
ISO, CEN, and many
agencies worldwide
 CYCLONE PERFORMANCE

 There are a variety of  Each cyclone has

cyclones on the market different operating
specifications and
performance criteria
 All cyclones are not
created equal!
 Be sure you know the
flow rate specified to
achieve the desired cut-
point before using a
cyclone
CYCLONES AVAILABLE
FROM SKC
Aluminum Cyclone
 Meets ACGIH/ISO/CEN
respirable curve at
2.5 L/min
 Eliminates adverse
electrostatic effects
 Specified in NIOSH
Method 7500 for silica
and 0600 for respirable
particulates
CYCLONES AVAILABLE
FROM SKC
GS-3 Cyclone
 Conductive plastic
 Safe for underground
mine use
 Eliminates adverse
electrostatic effects
 Meets ACGIH/ISO/CEN
respirable curve at
2.75 L/min
CYCLONES AVAILABLE
FROM SKC
GS-1 Cyclone
 Constructed of same
conductive plastic
material as GS-3
 Single inlet version to
match specifications of
Dorr-Oliver
 Meets ACGIH/ISO/CEN
respirable curve at
2.0 L/min
CYCLONES AVAILABLE
FROM SKC LTD.
UK Plastic Cyclone
 Meets ACGIH/ISO/CEN
respirable curve at
2.2 L/min
 Leak-tested plastic
construction
 Features a “snap
together “ cassette
 Static dissipating
 TIPS FOR SAMPLING WITH SKC
ALUMINUM OR GS CYCLONES

 Prepare 3-piece filter cassette

 Place cyclone into middle ring
 Calibrate the pump with sampler in line
 Take sample at specified flow rate
 Remove filter and cyclone from sample train
 Recap and send filter to lab
 Clean cyclone before reuse
 TIPS FOR CALIBRATION
 SKC Aluminum Cyclone
(Cat. No. 225-01-01/2)
Has a aluminum calibration chamber
that fits over the cyclone and allows
standard tubing to be attached for
connection to the pump calibrator
The chamber fits both the 25-mm and
the 37-mm aluminum cyclones
(Cat. No. 225-01-03)
 TIPS FOR CALIBRATION
 SKC Calibration Jar
(Cat. No. 225-111/112)
Very large jars are not
recommended when
calibrating with the piston-
style primary calibrators
like the BIOS Defender.
The dead volume in the jar
can affect the rise/fall of
the piston causing the
readings to be erroneously
low!
 TIPS FOR CALIBRATION
 SKC Calibration Jar
(Cat. No. 225-111/112)
Use the smallest jar
possible to contain the
cyclone/filter assembly.
SKC offers a calibration jar
suitable for the SKC GS
Cyclone (Cat. No.
225-111)
TIPS FOR CALIBRATION
 Another option is the
“jarless” calibration method
using piston-style primary
calibrators
 Attach the pump only to the
suction port and the
cyclone/filter assembly to
the other port on the
calibrator. This will create
the same pressure drop as
the sampling train
assembled in the field.
SAMPLING WITH A CYCLONE
 Ensure the grit pot is  Use the sampling rate
attached during specified by the
sampling otherwise, manufacturer to achieve
there is no size the desired cut-point:
selection
 SKC Aluminum: 2.5 L/min
 SKC GS: 2.75 L/min
 SKC UK: 2.2 L/min
 Dorr-Oliver: 1.7 L/min
POST-SAMPLE CLEANING
 After sampling, clean all parts of the cyclone with mild
soapy water
 Don’t forget to clean the grit pot!
 Dry the cyclone
 Air or blow-dry
 Wipe with a dust-free tissue or wipe with an isopropyl
alcohol moistened pad.
 Caution: Do not use strong solvents to clean plastic
cyclones
 CYCLONES
A CENTRIFUGAL FORCE
IN AIR SAMPLING

SKC INC.
www.skcinc.com