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VSI - Model AS-101 -Sorbent Tube Air Sampler Lab
Automatic air samplers are devices used for collecting air samples from the atmosphere - both from ambient air and experimental Teflon chambers or PMMA chambers used for gas flux measurements. Measuring the gas and volatile composition and/or isotopic signature of air reveals crucial information about water use, carbon balance, greenhouse gas emissions or other pollutants in natural or managed ecosystems or urban environments, and generally plant and/or soil interactions with the athmosphere. To support cost-effective air sampling campaigns in the laboratory and field, we developed the VSI AS-101 Sorbent Tube Sampler, passing air through diverse sorbent tubes.
At the current configuration, the VSI AS-101 sorbent tube air sampler (weight: c. 1100 g) for laboratory and field measurments (12 V) can be loaded with four sorbent tubes. The sampler can be factory modified to hold at least 12 sorbent tubes (depending on total inflow air required). The sample gas inlet can be set with a manually adjustable pinch valve and adjusted to the sorbent tubes installed (e.g. 50 mL min-1). All tubing is made out of 4 or 6-mm PTFE, and tube connections out of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or metal. Passing the restriction valve at the sampler inlet, the gas flow is split in two and forwarded to the two inlet ports of an electric four-port gas distribution manifold. The gas manifold enables switching between different sampling modes, either
loading all (four) or a selection of tubes simultaneously (technical replicates), or
individually for collecting sequential samples.
The sorbent tubes are fitted to the outlets of the gas manifold using straight push-in fittings. At the outlet of the sorbent tubes, the gas flow is divided into two streams. Each stream then passes through a flow sensor which records the actual flow rate. Finally, the gas streams are combined and directed to the suction pump. To circumvent the unregulated suction pressure of the pump, a T-piece is installed upstream of the pump inlet to equalise the different flow rates set on the gas inlet restriction valve. This effectively eliminates the exposure to pressure differentials that can lead to altered flow readings, the development of leaks and overuse of sampler components. The AS-101 Sorbent Tube Air Sampler can be fitted with a wide range of different sorbent tubes for different air sampling purposes (see below for sorbents) such as volatile emissions (especially for sesquiterpene and monoterpene sampling), pollen and particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) concentrations (see below for applications).
The VSI AS-101 Sorbent Tube Sampler for laboratory and field use is equipped with a memory card that records the actual flow rate, temperature, air pressure, humidity, activated sample port number and time over the sampling event. The sampler can be triggered
Automatically at preset times,
automatically on the occurrence of specific events (e.g. CO2 concentration, temperature, humidity, location), or
manually (push button).
The AS-101 is powered by 12V DC and can be fully used in the field (on batteries), and in the laboratory on a 110-230V mains supply. The automatic sorbent tube sampler is easy to use and requires minimal training for achieving accurate sampling.