TSP High Volume Air Sampler

What is a TSP high volume air sampler?

A Total suspended particulate sampler or TSP high volume air sampler is used for the collection of total suspended particulate matter in ambient air with no preference to size selection. The US EPA reference method for the collection of TSP is called out in 40 CFR 50, appendix B. The TSP high volume air sampler collects particulate at a flow rate between 39-60 ft/³min over a constant sampling period. The TSP high volume air sampler is used to determine the concentration of total suspended particulates or it can be used to determine the identity of the particulates.

TSP high volume air samplers come in a variety of configurations. The basic system is composed of an anodized aluminum outdoor shelter with a gabled roof assembly. It will include a timing device to turn the instrument on and off, a filter holder to hold the filter media in place, a vacuum motor, a device to control the flow, a pressure recorder to record the flow rate, and an elapsed time indicator to count the sample time.

How does a TSP sampler work?

The TSP high volume air sampler collects total suspend particulates in the air. The vacuum motors pulls ambient air onto the 8″ x 10″ glass fiber filter at a flow rate between 39-60 cfm. TSP air particulate samplers do not use a particle separator which results in the collection of all ambient particulates. The glass fiber filters are weighed pre and post sample and the weight is used to determine the total suspended particulate matter.

Available Models

Mass Flow Controlled

Mass flow Controlled or MFC tsp particulate samplers use a hot wire anemometer probe to control the flow rate. The hot wire anemometer probe is inserted into the flow stream and automatically adjusts the motor speed as the filter begins to collect particulate. These systems are available with either a 7 day mechanical timer or a US EPA recommended digital timer to ensure accurate sampling results. Motor options include your choice of a brush style motor or a brushless style motor. Please review the chart below to view our extensive offering of mass flow controlled TSP high volume air samplers.

Model No.	Timer	Motor	Power	Documents
TE-5170	Mechanical	Brush	110volt 60hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170X	Mechanical	Brush	220volt 50hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170XZ	Mechanical	Brush	220volt 60hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170BL	Mechanical	Brushless	110volt 60hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170BLX	Mechanical	Brushless	220volt 50hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170BLXZ	Mechanical	Brushless	220volt 60hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170D	Digital	Brush	110volt 60hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170DX	Digital	Brush	220volt 50hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170DXZ	Digital	Brush	220volt 60hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170D-BL	Digital	Brushless	110volt 60hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170D-BLX	Digital	Brushless	220volt 50hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170D-BLXZ	Digital	Brushless	220volt 60hz	Manual specs Questions?

Volumetric Flow Controlled

Volumetric flow controlled (VFC) TSP particulate samplers use a critical orifice with a predetermined orifice hole diameter to control the flow rate. The critical orifice is drilled and calibrated to let only the predetermined flow rate to pass through the filter. The motor on these systems operate wide open while the critical orifice maintains a constant flow rate. These systems are available with a 7 day mechanical timer or a US EPA reccomended digital timer. These systems can be fitted with an economical brush style motor or a maintenance free brushless motor.

Model No.	Timer	Motor	Power	Documents
TE-5170V	Mechanical	Brush	110volt 60hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170VX	Mechanical	Brush	220volt 50hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170VXZ	Mechanical	Brush	220volt 60hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170V-BL	Mechanical	Brushless	110volt 60hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170V-BLX	Mechanical	Brushless	220volt 50hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170V-BLXZ	Mechanical	Brushless	220volt 60hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170DV	Digital	Brush	110volt 60hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170DVX	Digital	Brush	220volt 50hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170DVXZ	Digital	Brush	220volt 60hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170DV-BL	Digital	Brushless	110volt 60hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170DV-BLX	Digital	Brushless	220volt 50hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170DV-BLXZ	Digital	Brushless	220volt 60hz	Manual specs Questions?

MFC PLUS Controller

The MFC PLUS system is the most advanced TSP ambient particulate sampler on the market. It utilizes a microprocessor based controller for instantaneous and accurate flow control. The system’s built in temperature and barometric pressure sensors along with the microprocessor-based mass flow controller allow the system to accurately calculate the flow rate. The PLUS technology flow controllers include a built in digital timer with internal battery backup, multiple elapsed time indicators, and four data logs with an external USB drive for data retrieval. The system data-logs record the average, minimum, and maximum ambient temperature and barometric pressure as well as the total ambient and standard flow rate. These PLUS technology flow controllers also include an auto calibration feature which eliminates the need for lengthy field calibration and manual flow rate calculations.

Model No.	Motor	Power	Documents
TE-HVPLUS	Brush	110 volt 60 hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-HVPLUSX	Brush	220 volt 50 hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-HVPLUSXZ	Brush	220volt 60hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-HVPLUS-BL	Brushless	110 volt 60 hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-HVPLUS-BLX	Brushless	220 volt 50/60hz	Manual specs Questions?

VFC PLUS Controller

Built on the same platform as the MFC PLUS controller, the VFC PLUS system accurate calculates and records the volumetric flow rate of the TSP, PM10 or PM2.5 high volume air sampler. The VFC PLUS controller use the ambient barometric pressure, ambient temperature and the pressure drop across the filter holder to accurately calculate the actual ambient volumetric flow rate. All sample data is log and can be downloaded via the USB port and viewed using any spreadsheet program. The integrated digital timer allows for accurate sample scheduling and also has an internal battery backup to ensure that samples schedules are not violated due to intermittent on-site power failures.

Model No.	Motor	Power	Documents
TE-5170VFC+	Brush	110 volt 60 hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-TE-5170VFC+X	Brush	220 volt 50 hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170VFC+XZ	Brush	220volt 60hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170VFC+BL	Brushless	110 volt 60 hz	Manual specs Questions?
TE-5170VFC+BLX	Brushless	220 volt 50/60hz	Manual specs Questions?

Manual Flow Controlled

Manual flow controlled TSP particulate samplers are and economical choice for basic TSP reference method sampling. They feature a simple manual motor adjustment to set the flow rate. The manual flow adjustment allows the user to adjust the motor speed manually to arrive at the desired flow rate. These systems do not have a flow controller and require regular adjustment to the manual speed control to maintain the desired flow rate.

Model No.	Timer	Motor	Power	Documents
TE-5000	Mechanical	Brush	110volt 60hz	Manual ]Questions?
TE-5000X	Mechanical	Brush	220volt 50hz	Manual Questions?
TE-5000XZ	Mechanical	Brush	220volt 60hz	Manual Questions?
TE-5000-BL	Mechanical	Brushless	110volt 60hz	Manual Questions?
TE-5000-BLX	Mechanical	Brushless	220volt 50hz	Manual Questions?
TE-5000-BLXZ	Mechanical	Brushless	220volt 60hz	Manual Questions?
TE-5000D	Digital	Brush	110volt 60hz	Manual Questions?
TE-5000DX	Digital	Brush	220volt 50hz	Manual Questions?
TE-5000DXZ	Digital	Brush	220volt 60hz	Manual Questions?
TE-5000D-BL	Digital	Brushless	110volt 60hz	Manual Questions?
TE-5000D-BLX	Digital	Brushless	220volt 50hz	Manual Questions?
TE-5000D-BLXZ	Digital	Brushless	220volt 60hz	Manual Questions?

Instrument Components

TSP particulate samplers are built with the same basic components. A motor, timer, flow controller, elapsed time indicator, outdoor aluminum shelter, and pressure recorder. Tisch Environmental uses only high quality components to ensure reliability and consistency. We offer a variety of options to give the user flexibility and to fit every unique sampling installation.

Flow Controller

Manual Flow Controlled: Manual adjusted motor speed controller.

Mass Flow Controlled(MFC): The Mass Flow Controller uses a hot wire anemometer to maintain a steady flow rate throughout the sampling period. The hot wire anemometer is inserted into the flow channel and detects changes in thermal mass to increase or decrease the motor speed.

Volumetric Flow Controlled(VFC): The VFC controller is a critical orifice with a predetermined hole diameter. The critical orifice is calibrated in a NIST traceable lab to determine the volumetric flow rate. The motor runs wide open and as air passes through the critical orifice,the sampler runs at a predetermined flow rate.

PLUS Technology (MFC): The PLUS technology MFC uses ambient temperature, ambient pressure, and a hot wire anemometer to maintain the set flow rate. This is the most accurate flow controller available. It also features an auto calibration function and digital timer.

PLUS Technology (VFC): The Plus Technology volumetric flow controller uses a combination of the critical orifice and the PLUS controller to calculate the ambient flow rate. The system uses the temperature, barometric pressure, and orifice pressure to calculate and record the ambient flow rate. The system also includes a digital timer.

Motor Type

Brush Style Motor: Brush Style motors use carbon motor brushes to conduct current within the electric motor. They are low cost but require routine motor brush changes.

Brushless Style Motor: Brushless motors do not use motor brushes or require maintenance. They are higher in cost and do not have any emissions.

Timer Style

7-Day Mechanical Timer: Recognized by its bright yellow timer dial, the 7 day mechanical timer uses a series of on/off trippers to set the sampling schedule.

Digital Timer: Recommended by the US EPA, the digital timer allows for 1 in 3, 1 in 6, 1 in 7, and custom sampling schedules. Its internal battery backup ensures that the timer will not have to be reset after a power failure. It also includes an LCD screen and soft press buttons for easy use.

Outdoor Shelter

Aluminum Outdoor Shelter: TSP high volume air samplers are housed in an anodized aluminum shelter with a gabled roof assembly. The shelter is designed to allow particulate matter to by drawn on to the filter from all four sides. The rugged construction of the outdoor enclosure allows it to withstand the elements with minimal maintenance.

Pressure Recorder

Dickson Chart Recorder: The Dickson chart recorder is a 4″ pressure cart recorder that records pressure variations over a 24 hour period. The chart recorder is attached to the motor back pressure and records the pressure on the 4″ recorder chart.

Elapsed Time Indicator

Elapsed Time Indicator: The elapsed time indicator is a mechanical clock the counts the hour and minutes that the instrument is actively collecting a sample. This device is used to track motor life, motor brusch changes, and to verify the sampling time.