I have seen this technologyin the CSIR Technofest 2010, showcased by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, at India International Trade Fair during November 14-27, 2010 New Delhi, India. I understand that "Respirable Dust Sampler" was developed by NEERI, Nagour (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute), under the aegis of CSIR, New Delhi
Respirable dust is dust that is smaller than 10-microns in size. Respirable dust is sampled using a Dorr-Oliver 10-millimeter nylon cyclone. Exposure to silica dust is quite prevalent in mining operations. The sampling train needed to sample respirable dust. Free crystalline silica is the most abundant element in the earth's crust. Respirable silica dust is produced when drilling, blasting, or cutting silica-containing rock.
In the activity of mining operations, generally crystalline silica enters the lung of a person, fibrotic nodules and scarring can occur around the trapped silica particles. This fibrotic condition of the lung is called silicosis. If the nodules grow too large, breathing becomes difficult and death may result. Silicosis victims are also at high risk of developing active tuberculosis.
NEERI has developed this respirable dust sampler APM 460BL and this technology has been transferred to Envirotech Instruments Pvt Ltd, New Delhi.
The system was upgraded to APM 460 in 1997. The APM 460 sampler uses an improved cyclone with sharper cutoff (D50 at 10 microns) to separate the coarser particulates from the air stream before filtering it on the glass microfibre filter. By using the APM 460, measurement of Respirable Particulate Matter can be done accurately and TSPM can also be assessed by collection of dust retained in the cyclone cup. Features of Model APM 460BL are
Brushless blower reduces equipment downtime and maintenance effort.
Significantly reduced Noise.
Toolbox within the instrument.
Lockable casters for field convenience.
Specifications of respiration dust sampler
Flow Rate :
0.9 1.4 m3 /min free flow
Particle Size :
Particles of 10 microns & below collected on Filter Paper holder. SPM bigger than 10 microns collected in a separate sampling bottle under the cyclone.
Sampling Time :
28 hours (maximum)
Sampling Time Record :
0 to 9999.99 hrs. recorded on a Time Totalizer.
Power requirement :
Nominal 220 V, Single Phase, 50Hz AC mains supply.
Size & Weight :
430 x 320 x 930mm., 45Kg
The below links may be useful for more details and information
