PRODUCTS

REAL-TIME AIR PARTICLE ANALYZERS - QCM CASCADE IMPACTORS

California Measurements offers a complete line of cascade impactors with real-time data output capabilities. These mass-based inertial impaction systems are general-purpose analytical instruments which can be used for any application that has to do with airborne or gas-suspended particulates. They incorporate proprietary Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) electronic mass sensors to provide air particle size distribution and mass concentrations in real-time. They also retain particles in size-segregated groups which can be saved for analysis to identify their morphology and elemental composition. They are suitable for such applications as inhalation toxicology research, product safety evaluation, indoor or outdoor air quality analysis, pharmaceutical aerosol research, industrial hygiene measurements, and many others.

Model PC-2 Real-Time Air Particle Analyzer

10-stage QCM cascade impactor; covers particle size range of 25 to 0.05 microns; 0.24 lpm flow rate; complete with pump and control unit; provides printout of particle size distribution and mass concentration of ten size fractions automatically. Ideal for medium and higher concentration measurements up to many milligrams/m3.

Model PC-2H Real-Time Air Particle Analyzer

10-stage QCM cascade impactor; covers particle size range of 10 to 0.05 microns; 2 lpm flow rate; complete with pump and control unit; provides printout of particle size distribution and mass concentration of ten size fractions automatically. Ideal for medium and lower concentration measurements down to a few micrograms/m3.

Special Systems

Instruments of special configurations can also be supplied. We have over the years engineered many systems with custom features for a variety of installations and environments, such as on research aircraft, ships, and in monitoring stations close to active volcanoes. Just give us a brief description of your needs, and we will recommend a system to suit.

CASCADE IMPACTORS FOR PHARMACEUTICAL AEROSOL ANALYSIS

Two types of cascade impactors are offered for this specific application. One is a QCM real-time cascade impactor similar to the model PC-2 general-purpose instrument described earlier, but is supplied with a higher flow sample inlet and an isokinetic flow divider added to the impactor. This configuration allows aerosols from MDIs and nebulizers to be drawn to the instrument at a higher flow rate while the impactor samples the aerosols at a lower flow rate. Another is a 6-stage, 12.5 lpm flow cascade impactor with 1.5 inch diameter glass slides as impaction plates. This system allows the use of chemical analysis of the particle samples to determine the aerosol size and concentration.

Model PC-2AS/SK76 Real-Time Pharmaceutical Aerosol Analyzer

10-stage QCM cascade impactor; covers particle size range of 10 to 0.14 microns; 0.24 lpm flow rate; complete with pump and control unit; provides printout of size distribution and mass concentration of ten size fractions automatically; with 12.6 lpm higher flow sampling inlet and isokinetic flow divider on impactor; higher flows of 30, 60, or 90 lpm are available. Configured especially for metered-dose inhaler and nebulizer aerosol output measurements.

IMPAQ AS-6 Six-Stage Cascade Impactor

6-stage cascade impactor; covers particle size range of 16 to 0.5 microns; 12.6 lpm flow rate; 1.5 inch diameter glass slides as impaction plates; complete with detached vacuum pump assembly, flowmeter and flow-control metering valve. Accessories, such as, glass throat and other inlets, etc. are available.

MICROANALYSIS AIR PARTICLE SAMPLERS

California Measurements offers samplers designed for collecting particles for analysis using scanning electron microscopy (S.E.M.), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (E.D.X.S.), and other microanalytical techniques. They have a patented feature of collecting samples directly on standard electron microscope sample holders embedded in the impactor stages. After sample collection these holders can be inserted directly into the microscope for analysis. The microscopist no longer has to spend much time in preparing samples for analysis, and the analysis cost is reduced. In addition, samples are collected in small concentrated spots so that they can be easily located under high magnification during analysis. The time required to collect enough samples is reduced to a range of minutes under low flow rates of a few liters per minute. Moreover, the type of substrate material can be selected to match the analytical requirements of other microanalytical techniques such as XRF, TEM, FTIR, and GC/MS. These samplers are highly compact and portable. They have proven to be invaluable tools for computer disk drive and clean room air particle contamination analysis and for identification of particles in ambient air and the upper atmospheres.

Model MPS-4G1 Clean Room Microanalysis Particle Sampler

A 4-stage, 7 lpm flow, inertial impaction type sample collector with particle size cut-points down to 0.05 micron; complete with detached pump assembly and connecting hose with disconnect fittings. Ideal for collecting samples in clean rooms and low particle concentration environments.

Model MPS-3 Microanalysis Particle Sampler

A 3-stage, 2 lpm flow, inertial impaction type of sample collector with particle size cut-points down to 0.05 micron; complete with pump mounted on a common base. Ideal for computer disk drive sampling and ambient air sample collection; very compact and convenient to carry to the field.

Special Samplers

Samplers of configurations other than those above are also available and have been supplied to various customers on special order.