HRH-APS05 Low-Flow Cascade Impactor

Overview

The HRH-APS05 Low-Flow Cascade Impactor is a precision-engineered inertial impactor designed for aerodynamic size fractionation of airborne particulate matter under low-flow conditions. Based on the fundamental principle of inertial impaction—where particles with sufficient mass deviate from the carrier gas streamlines upon encountering abrupt flow direction changes—the device enables stage-resolved collection of aerosol particles onto discrete substrates (e.g., aluminum foils, polycarbonate filters, or quartz fiber filters). This physical separation mechanism allows quantitative determination of particle mass distribution as a function of aerodynamic diameter, supporting critical calculations including Mass Median Aerodynamic Diameter (MMAD), Geometric Standard Deviation (GSD), and fine particle fraction (FPF < 3 µm). Its fixed 0.5 L/min nominal sampling flow rate aligns with regulatory and experimental requirements for inhalation toxicology studies, particularly in nose-only or whole-body rodent exposure systems where minimal flow resistance and stable aerosol delivery are essential.

Key Features

• Optimized low-flow operation at 0.5 L/min, minimizing pressure drop and enabling compatibility with small-animal exposure chambers and portable aerosol generation systems.
• Seven-stage cascade configuration plus a final backup filter stage, providing continuous aerodynamic cut-point coverage from 0.33 µm to 10 µm (with nominal 50% collection efficiency diameters per stage).
• Stainless steel construction with electropolished internal surfaces to reduce particle bounce and re-entrainment, ensuring high collection fidelity across all stages.
• Modular stage design permits individual stage removal, gravimetric weighing, and optional chemical or morphological analysis (e.g., SEM/EDS, ICP-MS) without cross-contamination.
• No external vacuum pump required—designed for integration with standardized laboratory vacuum sources compliant with ISO 14644-1 Class 5 cleanroom-rated flow controllers.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HRH-APS05 accommodates standard 25-mm and 37-mm circular collection substrates, including conductive carbon-coated filters for electrostatic charge mitigation and low-extractable quartz fiber filters for organic solvent extraction. It supports both gravimetric and analytical quantification workflows, making it suitable for compliance with ISO 29463-3 (high-efficiency filter testing), ASTM D1424 (aerosol size distribution by impaction), and OECD Test Guideline 412 (subacute inhalation toxicity studies). While not certified to GLP or FDA 21 CFR Part 11 out-of-the-box, its mechanical traceability, stage calibration documentation, and reproducible cut-point performance support audit-ready data generation when used within validated laboratory SOPs.

Software & Data Management

The HRH-APS05 operates as a hardware component within a broader aerosol characterization workflow and does not include embedded firmware or proprietary software. Raw gravimetric data (mass per stage) are processed externally using industry-standard tools such as Aerosol Instrument Manager (AIM), GRIMM’s EASy software, or custom Python/Matlab scripts implementing ISO 27891-compliant inversion algorithms. Users may integrate stage-wise mass measurements into LIMS platforms via CSV export; metadata—including flow rate verification logs, environmental temperature/humidity records, and balance calibration certificates—must be maintained separately to satisfy ISO/IEC 17025 documentation requirements.

Applications

• Inhalation toxicology: Quantifying delivered dose metrics (MMAD, GSD) in rodent and non-rodent inhalation studies per OECD, EPA, and NIOSH protocols.
• Occupational hygiene assessment: Size-resolved dust characterization in mining, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and nanomaterial handling environments.
• Environmental aerosol monitoring: Field-deployable fractionation of ambient PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ for source apportionment and receptor modeling.
• Aerosol formulation development: Supporting dry powder inhaler (DPI) and pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) product optimization through fine particle dose (FPD) and emitted dose (ED) analysis.
• Filter and respirator testing: Evaluating penetration efficiency of personal protective equipment across defined aerodynamic size ranges.

FAQ

Is the HRH-APS05 calibrated prior to shipment?

Yes—each unit undergoes factory verification using monodisperse PSL aerosols at key cut-points (e.g., 1 µm, 3 µm, 5 µm) under controlled laminar flow conditions. A calibration certificate listing stage-specific d₅₀ values and flow-dependent deviation curves is provided.
Can it be used with volatile or semi-volatile compounds?

With appropriate substrate selection (e.g., polyurethane foam or XAD resin-coated filters for stage 0 and backup), the system supports semi-volatile organic compound (SVOC) co-collection; however, thermophoretic losses below 0.5 µm require supplemental diffusion battery correction.
What vacuum source specifications are recommended?

A stable, pulse-free vacuum source capable of maintaining 0.5 ± 0.01 L/min at ≤−25 kPa backpressure is required. Digital mass flow controllers with closed-loop feedback (e.g., Bronkhorst EL-FLOW Select) are strongly advised for long-duration exposures.
Does it comply with USP <1207> or ISO 14644 for sterile aerosol testing?

While not inherently classified for aseptic use, the stainless-steel body is autoclavable (121°C, 20 min), and all wetted parts meet USP Class VI biocompatibility standards—enabling adaptation to sterile aerosol challenge testing when paired with ISO 5-certified housings and HEPA-filtered inlet air.