Tisch TE-Wilbur Portable PM10 & PM2.5 Sampler

Overview

The Tisch TE-Wilbur Portable PM10 & PM2.5 Sampler is a field-deployable, gravimetric ambient air particulate monitoring system engineered for regulatory-grade measurement of inhalable and respirable fractions—specifically Total Suspended Particulates (TSP), PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and PM_1.0. It operates on the principle of size-selective inertial separation using certified cyclonic or impactor-based inlets, followed by quantitative mass collection on standardized filter media (e.g., quartz fiber, PTFE, or nylon). The instrument maintains precise volumetric flow control across its full 1–25 SLPM range, enabling method-compliant sampling durations from 3-hour snapshots to continuous 24-hour integrated campaigns. Designed and manufactured in the United States, the TE-Wilbur meets—and exceeds—the performance specifications outlined in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 40 CFR Part 53 and Appendix L for reference and equivalent methods, making it suitable for inclusion in State Implementation Plans (SIPs), National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) monitoring networks, and international regulatory reporting frameworks.

Key Features

• Regulatory compliance validated against US EPA 40 CFR Part 53 and Appendix L for PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 reference method equivalence
• 5.7-inch high-contrast color touchscreen with intuitive graphical user interface supporting multilingual operation—including optional Chinese language firmware
• Integrated industrial-grade programmable logic controller (PLC) for deterministic real-time control and fault diagnostics
• Brushless DC sampling pump delivering stable, low-vibration flow with extended service life and minimal maintenance intervals
• Onboard continuous flow calibration system utilizing thermal mass flow sensing and closed-loop PID regulation
• Automatic, tool-free filter cassette loading mechanism eliminating manual alignment or torque-sensitive handling
• Redundant power architecture: primary AC input (220 V, 40 W) with seamless failover to optional solar, wind, or rechargeable LiFePO₄ battery modules
• Embedded environmental sensor suite including dual PT100 RTD probes (ambient and filter temperature), calibrated barometric pressure transducer (±10 mmHg accuracy), and NIST-traceable flow metering
• ISO 9001-certified manufacturing and quality assurance processes under Tisch Environmental’s U.S.-based production facility

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The TE-Wilbur supports standard 47-mm and 8-inch filter formats compliant with EPA Method IO-3.1, ISO 7708, EN 12341, and ASTM D1078. Its modular inlet configuration allows rapid reconfiguration between TSP, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and PM_1.0 cutpoints without hardware modification—only software-defined flow setpoint adjustment is required. All internal wetted surfaces are electropolished stainless steel or chemically inert fluoropolymers to prevent adsorption artifacts or reactive losses. Data integrity adheres to GLP/GMP-aligned audit trails; time-stamped event logs (e.g., flow deviation, temperature excursion, door open/close) are stored onboard with tamper-resistant timestamps. While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant out-of-the-box, the system supports third-party validation packages for regulated pharmaceutical or occupational hygiene applications requiring electronic signature and audit trail capabilities.

Software & Data Management

Data acquisition and remote supervision are enabled via three interoperable interfaces: (1) USB 2.0 for local download of raw time-series logs (flow, temperature, pressure, status flags), (2) MODBUS RTU over RS-485 or MODBUS TCP over Ethernet for integration into SCADA or building management systems, and (3) embedded web server accessible via any standards-compliant browser through RJ45 Ethernet. The onboard firmware stores ≥30 days of high-resolution operational history (1-minute intervals) with cyclic overwrite protection. Export formats include CSV and XML, compatible with EPA AIRS, AQS, and EU EEA reporting templates. Firmware updates are delivered via signed binary packages with SHA-256 checksum verification to ensure supply-chain integrity.

Applications

• Ambient air quality monitoring networks supporting NAAQS compliance and trend analysis
• Short-term source attribution studies near construction sites, roadways, ports, or industrial facilities
• Emergency response deployments during wildfire smoke events, dust storms, or hazardous material releases
• Indoor air quality assessments in schools, hospitals, and occupational settings where PM exposure thresholds apply
• Calibration and co-location verification of optical particle counters and low-cost sensor networks
• Research-grade field campaigns requiring transportable, battery-independent gravimetric reference data

FAQ

Does the TE-Wilbur require annual recalibration by an accredited lab?

No—its integrated thermal mass flow sensor and onboard calibration routine enable user-performed daily or weekly verification. Full metrological recalibration is recommended every 12 months or after major component replacement.
Can it operate unattended for more than 30 days?

Yes, when paired with a 100 Ah LiFePO₄ battery and 120 W solar panel (typical configuration), runtime exceeds 14 days at 16.67 L/min in mixed-cloud conditions. With grid backup or hybrid renewable input, indefinite deployment is achievable.
Is the firmware upgradable in the field?

Yes—firmware updates are delivered as signed .bin files via USB or Ethernet and applied without requiring factory return.
What filter types are validated for use with this sampler?

Quartz fiber (Pallflex QAT-UP), PTFE (Gelman Supor-450), and nylon (Whatman Nuclepore) filters have been tested and documented in Tisch’s application notes for PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ gravimetric protocols.
Does it support real-time PM concentration output?

No—the TE-Wilbur is a gravimetric sampler only. Real-time mass concentration requires post-weighing and volumetric normalization. For concurrent real-time data, it may be synchronized with complementary optical or beta-attenuation monitors via shared GPS time stamps.