SKC 225-370 User Manual

Operating Instructions

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863 Valley View Road, Eighty Four, PA 15330 USA

Sioutas Cascade Impactor

The patented† personal Sioutas Cascade Impactor consists of four impaction stages
and an a er-fi lter that allows the separation and collection of airborne particles in
fi ve size ranges. The Sioutas Cascade Impactor is used with the Leland Legacy
Sample Pump (SKC Cat. No. 100-3002) or any other pump capable of maintaining
a constant fl ow rate of 9 L/min. Particles above each cut-point are collected on a
25-mm PTFE fi lter in the appropriate stage. Particles below the 0.25 μm cut-point
of the last stage are collected on a 37-mm PTFE a er-fi lter. The Sioutas Cascade
Impactor clips onto a worker’s collar in the breathing zone and the pump clips onto
the worker’s belt. For area sampling, the impactor can be a ached to a tripod or
clipped in an appropriate location. The Sioutas Impactor may be used for ambient
outdoor sampling with special provisions (see Sampling on page 7). Size-fractionated
samples can be analyzed gravimetrically, chemically, and microscopically.

† U.S. Patent No. 6,786,105

®

Performance Profi le

Flow Rate: 9 L/min

50% Cut-point at 9 L/min: Stage A 2.5 μm

Stage B 1.0 μm
Stage C 0.50 μm
Stage D 0.25 μm

Recommended
A er-fi lter Type: (SKC Cat. No. 225-1709)

Recommended Filter
for Stages: 25-mm, 0.5-μm PTFE fi lter with laminated PTFE

support (SKC Cat. No. 225-2708)

Certification: EPA-ETV has verified the Sioutas Impactor

Wind Velocity: < 5 mph

A er-fi lter Operating
Temperature (maximum): 464 F (240 C) based on PMP support ring

Maximum Particle Load: Varies per stage. See NUATRC Report No. 2 at

www.sph.uth.tmc.edu/mleland/a achments/
MLeland_Sioutas2.pdf.

Impactor Material: Inlet/oulet plates and stages are anodized
autoclavable aluminum; O-rings are Buna-N
(Nitrile); fi lter retainers are acrylic; compression
ring is PTFE

Inlet and Outlet Inlet: 3/8-in OD, 1/4-in ID
Diameters: Outlet: 3/8-in OD, 1/4-in ID

Dimensions: 3.4 x 2.2 in (8.6 x 5.6 cm)

Weight: 5.6 oz (159 gm)

37-mm, 2.0-μm PTFE fi lter* with PMP support ring

performance with the Leland Legacy sample pump.

See www.epa.gov/nrmrl/std/etv/vt-ams.html#pcis
for details.

Tubing: 3/8-inch ID

* Back pressure on PTFE fi lters can vary within the same lot.

2

Disassembly

1

4

The Sioutas Impactor will arrive already assembled with the exception of the fi lter
retainers, which are included, but packaged separately. Disassemble it to clean
(see Cleaning), to load with filters (see Assembly), or to remove filters after
sampling.

Disassemble the impactor from inlet to outlet (see Figure 1 and follow Steps 1-7):

Thumb
nuts

Inlet

plate

Clip

Figure 1. Sioutas Impactor, exploded view

Remove thumb nuts.

Accelerator plate A

Accelerator plate B

Collector plate

Accelerator plate C

Collector plate

Accelerator plate D

Collector plate

Remove inlet plate.

Collector plate

Threaded

studs

Outlet
plate and
after-fi lter

housing

Li off together accelerator plate A and

collector plate.

Li accelerator plate A off

collector plate.

3

567

Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for stages B-D.

1

Remove O-ring from outlet plate

(see Figure 2).

Remove compression ring from outlet

plate (see Figure 2).

O-ring

ring

Spacer ring

Compression

Figure 2. Outlet plate, exploded view

Screen

Outlet

plate

Note: Use forceps to carefully insert or remove impaction substrate, a er-fi lter,
and fi lter retainers.

Media and Impactor Preparation

Equilibrate and pre-weigh the fi lters in a clean environment according to appropriate
procedures. Record the weight as the pre-sample weight.

Clean the Sioutas Impactor in between samples to remove any residual particles.
See Cleaning.

Assembly

In a clean environment, assemble the Sioutas Impactor from outlet to inlet as
follows:

Caution: Handle all fi lter material with forceps.

Remove O-ring and compression ring

from outlet plate (see Disassembly,

Steps 6 and 7 and Figure 2).

Insert 37-mm a er-fi lter in outlet plate.

Replace compression ring and O-ring.

Caution: Ensure that the screen and spacer ring (Figure 2) are in place before
inserting fi lter. The screen prevents the fi lter from restricting the outlet.

4

3

4

Align

5

6

7

marks

Filter

Nest a collector plate in top of outlet

plate. Align the marks.

Filter
retainer

Filter

Use forceps to place a fi lter retainer on

top of the fi lter. Press down fi rmly

until snug.

Use forceps to place a 25-mm fi lter in

collector plate.

Align
“D” with
mark

Place accelerator plate D (O-ring

side up) on top of collector plate.

Align “D” with mark.

Note: Tighten thumb nuts
using an alternating pa ern.
It is important to the operation
of the impactor to tighten the
thumb nuts completely.

Repeat Steps 3 through 6 for stages C-A,

slide inlet plate into place, and screw on

thumb nuts.

One, Two, or Three-stage Sampling

Place desired number of loaded stages (accelerator and collector plate pairs) onto the
outlet plate. Replace the inlet plate, replace and tighten the thumb nuts, calibrate,
and sample.

5

Calibration

Calibrate pump fl ow rate with the Sioutas Impactor and representative a er-fi lter
in place. It is not necessary to pre or postweigh representative media. You may also

calibrate with representative fi lters in all the stages if desired, however, it is not
necessary for proper calibration.

1. Using fl exible tubing, connect the outlet of the Sioutas Impactor to the inlet of a
Leland Legacy Sample Pump or other pump capable of maintaining a constant
9 L/min fl ow rate.

2. Connect the inlet of the Sioutas Impactor to the outlet of a primary standard
calibrator capable of calibrating 9 L/min.

Sioutas Impactor in calibration train with Leland Legacy Pump and Defender Calibrator

3. Calibrate the sample pump to 9 L/min. See calibrator and pump operating
instructions.

6

Sampling

Notes:

• As the particle load on the a er-fi lter increases during sampling, the pressure
drop will also increase. Therefore, use a compensating sample pump such as
the Leland Legacy (SKC Cat. No. 100-3002).

• Back pressure on PTFE fi lters can vary within the same lot.

• The Sioutas Impactor may be used for ambient outdoor sampling with the
following provisions:

1. Wind velocity is < 5 mph

2. The impactor plates are not overloaded. See NUATRC Report No. 2
at www.sph.uth.tmc.edu/mleland/a achments/MLeland_Sioutas2.pdf
for information on maximum particle load per stage.

1. Following calibration, remove and set aside the
representative sample media. Replace with new,
preweighed media (see Media and Impactor
Preparation and see Assembly).

2. Turn on the pump and record sample start time
and other pertinent data.

3. A er the desired sample time has elapsed, turn
off the pump and record sample stop time.

4. Remove pump and tubing. Transport samples and
pertinent sampling information to a laboratory
for analysis (see Removing and Transporting the

Samples).

Sioutas Impactor in

sampling train

Removing and Transporting the Samples

Disassemble the stages (see Disassembly). Using forceps, carefully remove fi lters
for weighing and analysis. If transporting samples to an off site laboratory, place
samples in marked, sealed containers and transport.

Caution: Clearly indicate on sample containers and chain-of-custody forms the
stage from which each fi lter was removed.

Caution: Package and transport samples in a manner that will prevent sample
loss and contamination.

Analysis

Size-fractionated gravimetric, chemical, and microscopic analyses.

7

Cleaning

Clean the Sioutas Impactor in between samples to remove residual particles.

Disassemble all stages (see Disassembly) and O-rings. To remove O-rings, align
the head of a small fl at-head screwdriver with the notch in the inner wall of the
plate. Gently li the O-ring up and out. Wash parts in water with detergent or in
isopropyl alcohol. Parts may also be cleaned in an ultrasonic bath. Rinse and dry
all parts thoroughly with compressed air if available. Otherwise, air dry in a clean
environment. Inspect all accelerator plates by holding them up to a light to ensure
that none of the impaction slits are clogged. Impaction slits may be cleaned with
compressed air.

Caution: Do NOT use any mechanical object to clear an obstruction from a
clogged impaction slit.

Tech Tips

• Additional collector plates can be loaded and ready to use when sampling
at multiple sites. See Accessories for ordering replacement collector plates.

• Handle all fi lter material and fi lter retainers with forceps. See Accessories for

ordering forceps.

• The Sioutas Impactor may be used for ambient outdoor sampling with the
following provisions:

1. Wind velocity is < 5 mph

2. The impactor plates are not overloaded. See NUATRC Report No. 2

at www.sph.uth.tmc.edu/mleland/a achments/MLeland_Sioutas2.pdf for
information on maximum particle load per stage.

8

Ordering Information

Description Cat. No.
Sioutas Personal Cascade Impactor 225-370

Pump for Sioutas Impactor Cat. No.

#

Leland Legacy Sample Pump

, 5 to 15 L/min, with Li-Ion battery pack,

CE marked 100-3002

Filters for Sioutas Impactor Cat. No.
After-fi lter, 37 mm PTFE*

‡

with PMP support ring, 2.0 μm, pk/50, optional 225-1709
Collection Substrate (fi lter for 4 stages), 25-mm PTFE (Zefl uor™) with PTFE
support, 0.5 μm, pk/100, required 225-2708

* Back pressure on PTFE fi lters can vary within the same lot.
‡ Maximum operating temperature is 464 F (240 C) based on PMP support ring.
# Use in non-explosive environments only, not UL Listed for intrinsic safety.

Accessories Cat. No.
Defender Primary Standard Calibrator, 300 ml/min to 30 L/min 717-510H
Replacement Collector Plates, set of 4 P55016
Ring/Spacer Set includes 4 fi lter retainer rings, 9 O-rings, 1 PTFE spacer ring P51917
Retainer Rings only, pk/4 P20151
Forceps, precision stainless steel with serrated tips for inserting fi lters 225-13-1

Development

Developed by Dr. Constantinos Sioutas of the University of Southern California in
partnership with the Mickey Leland National Urban Air Toxics Research Center
(NUATRC).

References

Misra, C., Singh, M., Shen, S., Sioutas, C., and Hall, P., “Development and Evaluation of a Personal
Cascade Impactor Sampler (PCIS),” Journal of Aerosol Science, 33, 2002, pp. 1027-1047

Ono-Ogasawara, M., Myojo, T. “A Proposal of Method for Evaluating Airborne MWCNT
Concentration,” Industrial Health, 49, 2011, pp. 726-734

Ono-Ogasawara, M., Myojo, T., “Characteristics of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and background
aerosols by carbon analysis; particle size and oxidation temperature,” Advanced Powder
Technology, 2012, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apt.2012.06.013

Singh, M., Misra, C., Sioutas, C., “Field Evaluation of a Personal Cascade Impactor Sampler
(PCIS),” Atmospheric Environment, 37, 2003, pp. 4781-4793

Sioutas, C., “Development of New Generation Personal Monitors for Fine Particulate Matter (PM)
and its Metal Content,” NUATRC Research Report No. 2, 2004, www.sph.uth.tmc.edu/mleland/
attachments/MLeland_Sioutas2.pdf

SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy

SKC products are subject to the SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy, which
provides SKC’s sole liability and the buyer’s exclusive remedy. To view the com­plete SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy, go to h p://www.skcinc.com/
warranty.asp.

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101112

www.skcinc.com

Form 40086 Rev 1402