Airmetrics MiniVol Operation Manual

Portable air sampler

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MiniVol

Portable Air Sampler

Operation Manual

Airmetrics

2121 Franklin Boulevard, #9

Eugene, OR 97403

U.S.A.

541. 683.5420

P H O N E :

541. 683.1047

F A X :

E-mail: sales@airmetrics.com

www.airmetrics.com

Notice:

Information in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not

represent a commitment on the part of Airmetrics, which reserves the right to make

changes in construction, design, specifications, and/or procedures that may not be

reflected in this man ual.

Printing History

Manua l Version 1.0 - O ctober, 1992, ap plies to Sampler M odels 3.x

Manua l Version 1.0a - N ovembe r, 1992, applies to Sa mpler M odels 3.x

Manua l Version 1.1 - Jun e, 1993, applies to S ampler M odel 4.0

Manua l Version 1.1a - Jan uary, 1994, ap plies to Sampler M odel 4.0

Manua l Version 1.2 - D ecember, 1 994, applies to Sa mpler M odel 4.0

Manua l Version 1.2a - Ju ly, 1996, applies to S ampler M odel 4.1

Manua l Version 4.2 - M ay, 1997 app lies to Sampler M odel 4.2

Manua l Version 4.2a - F ebruary, 1998 applies to Sam pler Mode l 4.2

Manua l Version 4.2b - D ecember, 2 000 applies to Sa mpler M odel 4.2

Manua l Version 4.2c - Ju ne, 2001 app lies to Sampler M odel 4.2

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Summary of Contents for Airmetrics MiniVol

Page 1 Notice: Information in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Airmetrics, which reserves the right to make changes in construction, design, specifications, and/or procedures that may not be reflected in this man ual.
Page 2: Table Of Contents
Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Table of C ontents Pulse Interval Adjustment ......18 Pulse Duration Adjustment .
Page 3 Table of C ontents Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Integrated Gas S ampling Pro cedure ......44 Gas Sample Retrieval .
Page 4: Introduction
A "low-battery" indicator lights to alert the operator of this condition. The MiniVol Portable Air Sampler is an ambient air sampler for particulate matter and non-reactive gases. The patented low flow technology used in the MiniVol was A low flow circuit monitors the flow rate.
Page 5: Integrated Gas Sampling Mode
Consequently, you should not use the MiniVol to collect gas samples that are to be analyzed for reactive gases like ozone or sulfur dioxide. The Airm etrics MiniVo l Portable Air Sam pler meets all of these specifications. It...
Page 6: Getting Started
W hen this ligh t goes ou t, the battery is charged but contin ues to When purchased , a standard MiniVol come s packed in two plastic carrying cases, one containing two battery packs and a transformer, the other containing the receive a “trickle”...
Page 7: Rem Oving P Ump And Timer A Ssemb Ly
Section 2: Getting Started Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Turning the Sampler On/Off The ON/AUTO/OFF button on the Programmable Timer allows the operator to manually turn the sample r on or off (o r to place it in the "Au to" mo de in wh ich it is controlled by prog ramme d on/off sequences).
Page 8: Setting The Real-Time Clock
Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Section 2: Getting Started Refer to Figure 2.2 when performing the follow ing procedures. Press the PR OG button again. appears on the display to indicate that the second power-on time is ready to be programmed. Repeat steps 2 to 4 to enter...
Page 9: Checking For Leaks
Section 2: Getting Started Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Checking for Leaks This page was intentionally left blank. To check for leaks, remove the preseparator/filter holder assembly and cover the air inlet at the to p of the sam pler body with the p alm of the hand w hile the pu mp is running .
Page 10: Controls And Adjustments
3 CONTROLS AND ADJUSTMENTS All Operating Modes The following controls (see Figure 3.1) are used to set the operation of the MiniVol in both the particulate matter sampling mode and the gas sampling mode. LAPSED OTALIZER The Elapsed Time Totalizer displays the total number of hours, with a resolution of tenths of h ours, that th e pum p has run .
Page 11: Low Flow Cutoff Indicator
Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Section 3: C ontrols and Adjustm ents that was set using th e Flow Rate A djustme nt and w hen the F low Co ntrol Circu it Set the Lo w Flow Cutoff A djustme nt to the zer o position (rotated fully can no longer maintain the desired flow rate.
Page 12: On/Auto/Off Button
Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Section 3: C ontrols and Adjustm ents ON/AUTO/OFF B user maximum flexibility in controlling the bag filling rate. UTTON The ON/AUTO/OFF Button manually turns the sampler on, off, or places it in the OLENOID ALVE UTPUT ONNECTORS "Auto"...
Page 13: Power O N/Off
Section 3: C ontrols and Adjustm ents Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide assigned "On Time" value, and the on time for each pulse is determined by the sum of the values of switches in the "off" position. The "On Time" values for each This page was intentionally left blank.
Page 14: Particulate Matter Sampling
Attach ing the M ounting Cradle The MiniVol Mounting Cradle is designed to mount onto a standard 1 1/4 inch antenna mast or compa rable metal tubing (not supplied with the sampler). The mast...
Page 15: Flow Rate
Section 4: Particulate Matter Sampling Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Figure 4.2. Tubing Configuration for PM Sampling Mode Before tra nsporting the Min iVol to the field, perform a laborato ry check to determine if it is operational. Turn the sampler on and observe the motor performance.
Page 16: Flowmeter Calibration
Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Section 4: Particulate Matter Sampling ambient con ditions. Since the den sity of air and the beha vior of the flowm eter are functions of the ambient air temperature and atmospheric pressure, a flow rate set point m ust be calc ulated for e ach differe nt samp ling projec t.
Page 17 Section 4: Particulate Matter Sampling Airmetrics...
Page 18: Setting The Desired Sampling Time
Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Section 4: Particulate Matter Sampling A single AA battery on the circuit board operates the Programmable Timer. The lifetime for this battery is approximately six months when it is left in place on the Lift the pump and timer assembly out by the 6" diameter top cap and rest it on circuit board.
Page 19: Exposed Filter
Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Section 4: Particulate Matter Sampling reading. Press the ON/AUTO/OFF button twice to start the pump. Note : T and P readings may be estimated on site or may be obtained from a nearby US National Weather Service Forecast Office or airport weather station.
Page 20: Error Conditions
Section 4: Particulate Matter Sampling Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide filter came. Air Restriction: If the battery is sound, the problem may be due to a Use the cassette separator (P/N 600-007) to remove the top half of the filter restriction in the air inlet, filter holder, or tubing. Check for crimps or other cassette.
Page 21: Integrated Gas Sampling
To collect integrated gas samples, the sampler must be fitted with the optional valve driver board. If your original order specified integrated gas sampling MiniVol samp ling procedures for all non-reactive gases are the same. It should also attachments, the sampler arrived prefitted for gas sampling. To prepare for the gas be noted that the M iniVol sim ply collects a gas sam ple.
Page 22 Section 5: Integrated Gas Sampling Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide To operate in Standard Mode: a) Set timer Program 1 to turn on at 1:00 am and off at 7:00 am. During this program, neither bags will be filled but air will be drawn through the PM Plug the solenoids into desired positions 1-4.
Page 23: Adjusting Pulse Frequency And Duration
Section 5: Integrated Gas Sampling Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide 1) Place the Overlap Jumper on the pins. Pulse Interval Adjustment 2) Plug ba g 1 solen oid into So lenoid O utput Co nnector 2 ; plug bag 2 soleno id The pulse interval (off time) of the circuit is adjustable over a range of 0-15 into Solenoid Output Connector 4.
Page 24: Preparing The Sampler
Section 5: Integrated Gas Sampling Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide during a single pulse, a 10 second interval between pulses would result in 6 cc Overlap Jum per. being pumped per minute, or 360 cc per hour, or 1440 cc over four hours. Since this amount falls considerably short of 6 liters, the pulse duration and/or frequency Program the timer for the desired test period.
Page 25: Integrated Gas Sampling Procedure
Section 5: Integrated Gas Sampling Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide assembly b ar. Integrated Gas Sampling Procedure Slide canisters holding empty bags onto the bar and attach end caps. After the s ampler has been assem bled, the p ulse frequ ency an d duration correctly establishe d through a test run, an d a fresh b attery installe d, the sam pler is ready to Snap on bale handle.
Page 26: Gas Sample Retrieval
Section 5: Integrated Gas Sampling Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Program the on/off cycles for the de sired sampling p eriod (see page 9 ). Check and record the fullness of the bag(s), adjusting the pulse interval or duration if necessary.
Page 27: Hardware Description
Section 6: Hardware Description Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide 6 HARDWARE DESCRIPTION Pneumatic System NEUMATIC YSTEM CHEMA TIC See Figure 6.1. ILTER OLDER SSEMBLY A 47 mm diameter filter cassette and filter holder assembly is used to hold the filter media.
Page 28: Electronics System
Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Section 6: Hardware Description of the unit. T he pum ping sectio ns consis t of synthe tic rubber d iaphragm s housed in easy to read liquid-crystal display and its own power supply. molded plastic casing directly driven from the motor shaft by a scotch yoke-crank assembly.
Page 29: Maintenance
Section 7: Maintenance Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide 7 MAINTENANCE Ideally, records reflecting the history of maintenance (including all replacement parts, sup plies, costs, expend itures) shou ld be kep t for each M iniVol, alo ng with an inven tory of on-h and spa re equipm ent.
Page 30: Programmable Timer
Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Section 7: Maintenance warm water and detergent; follow the steps below: side need cleaning or replacing. Rem ove the in let and ou tlet tubing an d detach the flowm eter from the main When cleaning or replacing valves and diaphragms, replace or clean all valves and circuit board.
Page 31: Troubleshooting
Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Section 8: Troubleshooting sampler to charge the batteries. 2) Disassemble the battery case using a Phillips 8 TROUBLESHOOTING screwdriver and connect the battery charger board to another battery. If the same condition This section identifies common problems and the action necessary to correct them.
Page 32 Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Section 8: Troubleshooting NOTE : if loose or corroded c onnections w ere betwee n pulses. If a ny back flow is pre sent , found m ake sure the battery has receiv ed a full check that the fittings are tight.
Page 33 "Q ind", is recorded, an d the actual flow rate, “ Qact” and “Q@ std” are calculated from the pressure drop across the LFE. The MiniVol Portable Air Sampler is designed to operate at 5 lpm at ambient conditions. At the factory the sampler is calibrated at approximately 21°C at 754 The flow rate units "lpm"...
Page 34 Appen dix A: Calc ulating Flow Rate Airmetrics...
Page 35 (in cubic meters). where t = sam pling period, in hou rs In the equation above, time is expressed in hours since the MiniVol's elapsed time meter rec ords time in hou rs. The units of V are cubic meters.
Page 36 Appen dix A: Calc ulating Flow Rate Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide This page was intentionally left blank. To finally calculate the concentration of PM, divide the net mass gain of the filter by the volume of air that passed throug h the filter.
Page 37 Tackle boxes modified to contain a base platform fitted with quick disconnect (female) fittings to transport sampling materials. The low loadings of particulate matter caught on the filter medium by the MiniVol sampler necessitate special handling and weighing techniques. The preparation of the filters for sampling and the handling after return from the field have become so 10.
Page 38 Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Appen dix B: Gra vimetric An alysis Proc edure filters typically weigh approximately 150 mg. microgram on the 200 milligram range, which is the range used in filter weighing. This is in agreement with the man ufacturer's stated precision as a With nothing on the pans, press the "Tare"...
Page 39 Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Appen dix B: Gra vimetric An alysis Proc edure package. O-Rings, Nuclepore, Stock No. 490402, 10 per package. Quick disconnect air line fittings--Foster No. 11-3 male, attached to the filter holders. Plastic caps for protecting filters--60 mm ID.
Page 40 Appen dix B: Gra vimetric An alysis Proc edure Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Becaus e the sam ple filters (both clean and expose d) are "co nditioned " in filter (exposed ma sses: F ) as in 1, 2, and 3 above, making certain the...
Page 41 Appen dix B: Gra vimetric An alysis Proc edure Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide reading. Average flow in liters per minute is the mean of the start and stop The computer program used to calculate particulate matter concentrations flow conversions. from portable saturation samplers has expanded data flagging and calcula-...
Page 42 Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Appen dix B: Gra vimetric An alysis Proc edure petri dish label. The blanks serve several functions: dirt on the p an. Rem ove the p an, clean it, and then recheck the zero in such cas es. If the zero drift at any ch eck is ove r one m icrogram , reset it As a qu ality contro l on the gra vimetric p rocedure , each bla nk is and then recheck the calibration before continuing.
Page 43 Appendix C: Quick Reference Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide it in clean plastic bag for transport back to lab. 10. Change the battery pack. (Do not inadvertently confuse and reuse the spent C QUICK REFERENCE battery.) If either the low or low voltage indicator was lit, make a note that the spent battery may be defective.
Page 44 Appendix C: Quick Reference Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide 12. Replace the bale bar assembly, attach new canisters, and connect tubing. Integrated Gas Sam pling Rou tine At Site 13. Return the sampler to the mounting cradle, raising it as vertically as possible.
Page 45 Airmetrics warranty. This warranty does not apply if the product has been damaged by accident or misuse or as the result of service or modification by other than an Airmetrics technician. No other express warranty is given. The repair or replacement of a product is your exclusive remed y.
Page 46 E REPLACING DAMAGED/DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS In the event that a MiniVol Portable Air Sampler component is missing, damaged, or defectiv e, follow th ese steps to obtain a re placem ent part: Call Airme trics tech support and explain the problem ..(541) 434-9695.
Page 47 Appendix F: Parts List Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide F PARTS LIST The following Figures and Tables identify the components and parts of the MiniVol sampler. Figure F.1. Main Circuit Board Parts Identification. Airmetrics Airmetrics...
Page 48 Appendix F: Parts List Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide 102-006-04 Pump Valve O-Ring, Silicone Main Circuit Board Card (see Figure F.1) 101-019 Pump Mount Stand, Aluminum Description 101-020 Ethafoam Shipping Block 101-000 Main C ircuit Board Card (w/o Pum p and Flow meter) 101-022 Flat Washe r, 5/8"...
Page 49 Appendix F: Parts List Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Valve Driver Board This page was intentionally left blank. (see Figure F.2) Description 103-000 Comp lete Valve D river Board 103-001 Valve Drive r Circuit Board 103-002 Solenoid Valve 103-003 Solenoid Output/Orifice Fitting, 10-32 × 1/8" ID Ho se...
Page 50 Appendix F: Parts List Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Sampler Case External Hardware/Pow er Interconnect Description 104-002 Nylon Bolt, 1/2-13 × 3/4" 104-003 Male Quick Connect Inlet Fitting 104-004 Battery Pack Mounting Latch 104-005 Banana Plug 104-006 Nylon Hex Nut, 1/2-13...
Page 51 Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Appendix F: Parts List 202-003 O-Ring, PM , Silicone, Red Presep arator a nd Filter Holde r Assem bly (see Figure F.4) 205-001 Multiple Impactor Adapter, Grey Description 205-002 O-Ring for Adapter 206-000 Presepa rator/Cas sette Filter H older As sembly , Com plete...
Page 52 Appendix F: Parts List Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Battery Pack A ssemb ly (see Figure F.5) Description 300-000 Battery P ack As sembly 301-000 Battery Charg er Board 301-004 Charging Jack 302-000 Battery, 12V, 12AH 302-001 Vent K it 303-000...
Page 53 Appendix F: Parts List Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Integra ted Ga s Sam pling B ag Asse mbly (see Figure F.6) Description 400-000 Com plete Bag Mod ule 400-001 Tedlar® Bag, 5 liter 400-003 Mini Quick-Connect Hose Fitting 400-004 Bag Sam pling Bale Handle 400-005 Bale Bar, 24", PVC...
Page 54 Appendix F: Parts List Airmetrics...
Page 55 Appendix F: Parts List Airmetrics MiniVol Users Guide Miscellaneo us Parts G FORMS and SCHEMATICS Description The forms shown in this appendix are samples of the Field Data Sheets that may be used when performing PM sampling (Figure G.1) and Integrated Gas sampling (Figure G.2).
Page 56 Appendix G: Forms and Schematics This page was intentionally left blank. Airmetrics...