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US 6,087,183 AGranted
High-throughput liquid-absorption air-sampling apparatus and methods
OwnerSolomon Zarombinventor
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OwnerSolomon Zarombinventor
Estimating the term…
A portable high-throughput liquid-absorption air sampler [PHTLAAS] has an asymmetric air inlet through which air is drawn upward by a small and light-weight centrifugal fan driven by a direct current motor that can be powered by a battery. The air inlet is so configured as to impart both rotational and downward components of motion to the sampled air near said inlet. The PHTLAAS comprises a glass tube of relatively small size through which air passes at a high rate in a swirling, highly turbulent motion, which facilitates rapid transfer of vapors and particulates to a liquid film covering the inner walls of the tube. The pressure drop through the glass tube is <10 cm of water, usually <5 cm of water. The sampler's collection efficiency is usually >20% for vapors or airborne particulates in the 2-3.mu. range and >50% for particles larger than 4.mu.. In conjunction with various analyzers, the PHTLAAS can serve to monitor a variety of hazardous or illicit airborne substances, such as lead-containing particulates, tritiated water vapor, biological aerosols, or traces of concealed drugs or explosives.
In apparatus for sampling an analyte from a gaseous medium, said analyte being in form of vapor or of liquid droplets or solid particulates, comprising a means for sampling a volume of said medium and collecting said analyte therefrom;
In a method for preconcentrating an analyte in a gaseous medium, said analyte being in form of vapor or of liquid droplets or solid particulates, comprising the steps of:
In a method for monitoring the concentration of an airborne analyte, said analyte being in form of vapor or of liquid droplets or solid particulates, comprising the steps of introducing a volume of air into a liquid-absorption air sampler at a substantially acute angle to a wettable inner wall, the improvement comprising the steps of first operating the sampler in a substantially nonvertical orientation or with insufficient liquid, whereby said inner wall is insufficiently wetted, and thereafter rinsing down parts of any analyte that is retained at said inner wall by injecting a sufficient volume of liquid into said sampler and operating the sampler in a substantially vertical orientation for a sufficient time to effectuate proper wetting of said inner wall, and thereafter allowing said liquid to drain down the inner wall and be collected for analysis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.