Tianhong TH-150H Medium-Flow Ambient Particulate Matter Sampler

Overview

The Tianhong TH-150H Medium-Flow Ambient Particulate Matter Sampler is an engineered solution for simultaneous or independent collection of airborne particulate matter (PM) and gaseous pollutants in ambient air monitoring applications. Designed in accordance with international gravimetric methodology principles and aligned with standardized environmental measurement protocols, the TH-150H employs a constant-flow sampling architecture based on closed-loop digital feedback control. Its core measurement principle relies on precise volumetric flow regulation—using high-stability mass flow sensors and microcontroller-driven pump compensation—to ensure consistent sample intake under variable ambient pressure, temperature, and filter loading conditions. Unlike traditional rotameter-based systems, this instrument eliminates manual flow adjustment and mechanical drift, delivering repeatable sampling volumes essential for regulatory-grade PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and total suspended particulates (TSP), as well as co-sampled gases such as SO₂, NO_x, and O₃. The system supports both field-deployed continuous monitoring and short-term compliance verification, making it suitable for national ambient air quality monitoring networks (NAAQMN), environmental impact assessments (EIA), and routine QA/QC audits.

Key Features

• Triple-channel independent sampling control: one dedicated particulate channel (with filter holder compatible with 47 mm or 90 mm glass fiber or quartz filters) and two parallel gaseous pollutant channels—each with programmable flow setpoints (0.1–2.0 L/min) and real-time digital display.
• Brushless DC vacuum pump with patented energy-efficient design: delivers stable suction performance across varying backpressure conditions; certified for >10,000 hours MTBF under nominal load.
• Integrated thermal mass flow sensors with automatic temperature and barometric pressure compensation: maintains flow accuracy within ±5% over operating range (−20 °C to +50 °C, 86–106 kPa).
• 4.3-inch sunlight-readable color touchscreen interface: supports multilingual UI (English default), intuitive menu navigation, real-time graphing of flow/pressure/temp trends, and on-device calibration routines.
• Comprehensive data logging: stores up to 200 complete sampling sessions per channel—including start/stop timestamps, accumulated actual-volume and reference-volume (at 25 °C, 101.325 kPa), battery voltage, and error codes—with optional thermal printer support (external module).
• Hybrid power architecture: operates continuously from AC mains or integrated rechargeable Li-ion battery pack—capable of sustaining 100 L/min particulate sampling for ≥20 hours without interruption, meeting 24-hour valid sample requirements per HJ/T 374–2007.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The TH-150H is validated for use with standard filter media including borosilicate glass fiber (e.g., Whatman GF/A), quartz fiber (e.g., Pallflex Tissuquartz), and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes. It complies with Chinese national standards governing ambient air sampling integrity and metrological traceability: GB/T 15432–1995 (gravimetric determination of TSP), JJG 943–1999 (verification procedures for TSP samplers), HJ/T 374–2007 (technical specifications for particulate samplers), and HJ/T 375–2007 (general requirements for ambient air samplers). While not CE-marked or EPA-equivalent certified out-of-the-box, its hardware architecture and firmware logic are structured to support future third-party validation against ISO 7708 (particle size-selective inlets), ISO 12103–1 (test dusts), and EU Directive 2008/50/EC Annex II (reference methods for PM₁₀/PM_2.5). All internal calibration parameters adhere to GLP-aligned audit trails, with timestamped modification logs retained in non-volatile memory.

Software & Data Management

Firmware v3.2+ includes embedded USB-C host interface for direct connection to Windows/Linux PCs, enabling batch export of CSV-formatted datasets via Tianhong’s proprietary PC Utility Suite (v2.1). This desktop application supports automated conversion of raw volumetric data into standardized reference conditions (25 °C, 101.325 kPa), generates QC summary reports compliant with CNAS-CL01:2018 documentation requirements, and exports PDF certificates with digital signatures. The system supports user-defined field identifiers, site metadata tagging, and configurable alarm thresholds (e.g., low-flow warning at <95% setpoint). All calibrations—including flow sensor zero/span, temperature sensor offset, and barometric transducer linearity—are performed through guided touchscreen workflows requiring no external hardware tools. Audit logs record operator ID, action type, timestamp, and pre-/post-calibration values—fully retrievable and exportable for regulatory review.

Applications

• Ambient air quality monitoring stations (urban, rural, roadside, background sites)
• Source apportionment studies requiring synchronized PM and gas-phase co-sampling
• Industrial emissions compliance testing near fenceline or stack outlets
• Indoor air quality investigations in schools, hospitals, and office buildings
• Short-term epidemiological exposure assessment campaigns
• Method validation and inter-laboratory comparison exercises

FAQ

What filter diameters does the TH-150H support for particulate sampling?
The instrument accommodates standard 47 mm and 90 mm circular filters, including glass fiber, quartz, and PTFE substrates, using interchangeable stainless-steel filter holders with silicone O-ring seals.
Does the TH-150H meet U.S. EPA or European reference method equivalency?
It conforms to Chinese national standards (GB/T, HJ/T) and aligns structurally with ISO/EN methodologies; however, formal EPA EQPM or MCERTS certification requires site-specific third-party verification and installation under approved QA/QC protocols.
Can sampling parameters be modified remotely?
No built-in Wi-Fi or cellular module is included; remote configuration requires physical USB connection and PC Utility Suite—though optional RS-485 or Ethernet gateway modules are available upon request for SCADA integration.
Is battery runtime affected when operating all three channels simultaneously?
Yes—runtime scales inversely with total volumetric demand; at combined flows of 200 L/min (e.g., 100 L/min PM + 50 L/min ×2 gases), battery endurance reduces to approximately 12–14 hours depending on ambient temperature and filter resistance.
How frequently must flow calibration be performed?
Per HJ/T 374–2007, initial calibration is required before first use, followed by quarterly verification using a NIST-traceable primary standard (e.g., dry gas meter or bubble flowmeter); automatic self-diagnostics run at power-on and during idle periods.