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AN EVALUATION OF PERSONAL SAMPLING PUMPS IN SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES
Citation:
Parker, C., M. Lee, AND J. Sharpe. AN EVALUATION OF PERSONAL SAMPLING PUMPS IN SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/7-77/145.
Description:
Personal sampling pumps suitable for industrial hygiene surveys were evaluated to discover their characteristics as a function of temperature for temperatures between 25 and -50C. The pumps evaluated were significantly influenced by low temperatures. In general, most provided a sampling capability at -10 to -20C, but were marginal at lower temperatures. None were useful at -50C. Most of the pumps survived low temperature exposures to -50C without significant damage. The Nickel-Cadmium batteries which power these pumps are concluded to be the most suitable available. Although the energy available from these batteries is significantly reduced at low temperature, a large percentage of the nominal energy is available at -20C and some energy at -40C. These batteries are not useful at -50C. It is recommended that additional investigations be completed before standards for personal sampling pumps suitable for low temperatures are promulgated.