SKC AirLite® Portable Low-to-Medium Flow Personal Air Sampling Pump

Overview

The SKC AirLite® Portable Low-to-Medium Flow Personal Air Sampling Pump is an engineered solution for occupational hygiene and environmental monitoring professionals requiring reliable, field-deployable air sampling across a broad dynamic flow range. Based on positive-displacement diaphragm pump architecture with active backpressure compensation, the AirLite® maintains stable volumetric flow rates under variable resistance conditions—critical when sampling through sorbent tubes (e.g., charcoal, silica gel), membrane filters (e.g., PVC, polycarbonate), or size-selective cyclones (e.g., IOM, GK2.69). Its design adheres to ISO 13137:2013 (“Workplace atmospheres — Requirements for pumped samplers used for the sampling of airborne chemical agents”), ensuring metrological traceability and compliance with international occupational exposure assessment protocols.

Key Features

• Wide operational flow range: 5–3000 mL/min, extendable down to 5 mL/min with the optional Low-Flow Kit—enabling both high-volume vapor collection and ultra-low-flow aerosol fractionation.
• Robust backpressure compensation up to 30 inches of water column (7.5 kPa), preserving flow stability even when sampling through high-resistance media such as polyurethane foam (PUF) or multi-bed sorbent cartridges.
• Extended runtime: ≥8 hours continuously powered by two standard alkaline AA batteries—eliminating dependency on external chargers or proprietary power systems, ideal for remote or multi-shift deployments.
• Integrated LED status display providing real-time feedback on sampling activation, actual flow deviation, and battery voltage level—supporting immediate field verification without external calibrators.
• Automatic flow fault response: System halts sampling and alerts via LED if measured flow deviates beyond ±5% of setpoint; resumes operation autonomously once flow stabilizes within tolerance—minimizing data loss during transient pressure events.
• Electromagnetic compatibility: Conductive polymer housing meets IEC 61000-4-3 (radiated RF immunity) and IEC 61000-4-4 (electrical fast transient/burst) standards—ensuring uninterrupted operation near radio transmitters, motor drives, or industrial control systems.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The AirLite® is validated for use with all major NIOSH and ISO-compliant sampling media, including but not limited to: 37-mm and 25-mm membrane filters for respirable dust analysis (per ISO 7708 and EN 481); diffusion-controlled sorbent tubes for VOCs (e.g., OSHA Method 1005, NIOSH Method 1501); and thoracic/respirable cyclones per ISO 13137 Annex B. Its mechanical design supports direct mounting of SKC IOM samplers, Button Samplers, and GK-series impactors via standardized bracket orifices. All flow calibration procedures align with ISO 13137 Clause 6.3 and NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM) Chapter 2, supporting audit-ready documentation for GLP-regulated laboratories and OSHA-mandated exposure assessments.

Software & Data Management

While the AirLite® operates as a standalone analog pump without onboard digital logging, it is fully compatible with industry-standard flow calibration and data aggregation workflows. When paired with SKC’s AccuFlow™ Calibrator or equivalent primary standards (e.g., DryCal® DC Series), users generate NIST-traceable calibration curves stored in CSV or Excel format. Field logs—including start/stop times, battery voltage decay profiles, and manual flow checks—are routinely integrated into LIMS platforms compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 via electronic signature-enabled templates. Optional Bluetooth-enabled flow meters (e.g., SKC AirCheck Touch) can be synchronized post-sampling to reconstruct time-weighted average (TWA) exposure profiles aligned with ACGIH® TLV® or EU-OEL regulatory frameworks.

Applications

• Occupational exposure monitoring for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), aldehydes, and acid gases using thermal desorption tubes.
• Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) assessment via cyclone-filter combinations conforming to OSHA Silica Standard 1926.1153.
• Indoor air quality (IAQ) surveys targeting formaldehyde, benzene, and terpenes in commercial buildings and schools.
• Hazard evaluation during remediation activities involving asbestos, lead dust, or mold spores—leveraging its lightweight form factor and particulate filtration.
• Field validation of fixed-site ambient air monitors where grab sampling or collocated reference methods are required.

FAQ

Is the AirLite® suitable for NIOSH-certified methods?
Yes—the AirLite® meets the performance criteria specified in NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM) for personal sampling pumps and is routinely deployed in methods including 1005 (benzene), 1501 (chlorinated solvents), and 7300 (metals by ICP-MS).

Can it be used with conductive tubing and grounded sampling trains?
Yes—its non-sparking motor and grounded chassis support electrostatically dissipative sampling configurations required for flammable vapor environments (per NFPA 77 and ATEX Zone 2 guidelines).

Does SKC provide calibration certificates traceable to NIST?
Calibration services are available through SKC’s ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory; certificates include uncertainty budgets and comply with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Clause 7.7.

What maintenance intervals are recommended?
Diaphragm replacement is advised every 12 months or after 2000 operating hours; particulate filter elements should be inspected before each sampling campaign and replaced if visibly loaded.

Is firmware or software update capability supported?
No—the AirLite® is a hardware-stable analog instrument with no embedded microprocessor; this ensures long-term measurement consistency and eliminates obsolescence risks associated with software-dependent platforms.