Total Suspended Particulate (TSP)
A Total suspended particulate sampler or TSP high volume air sampler is used for the collection of total suspended particulate matter in ambient air with no preference to size selection. The US EPA reference method for the collection of TSP is called out in 40 CFR 50, appendix B. The TSP high volume air sampler collects particulate at a flow rate between 40-60 ft/³min over a constant sampling period. The TSP high volume air sampler is used to determine the concentration of total suspended particulates or it can be used to determine the identity of the particulates.
TSP high-volume air samplers come in a variety of configurations. The basic system is composed of an anodized aluminum outdoor shelter with a gabled roof assembly. It will include a timing device to turn the instrument on and off, a filter holder to hold the filter media in place, a vacuum motor, a device to control the flow, a pressure recorder to record the flow rate, and an elapsed time indicator to count the sample time.
Working principle 
The TSP high-volume air sampler collects total suspended particulates in the air. The vacuum motors pull ambient air onto the 8″ x 10″ glass fiber filter at a flow rate between 36-60 cfm. TSP air particulate samplers do not use a particle separator which results in the collection of all ambient particulates. The glass fiber filters are weighed pre and post-sample and the weight is used to determine the total suspended particulate matter.
Mass Flow Controlled
Mass Flow Controlled or MFC tsp particulate samplers use a hot wire anemometer probe to control the flow rate. The hot wire anemometer probe is inserted into the flow stream and automatically adjusts the motor speed as the filter begins to collect particulate. These systems come with a 7-day mechanical timer or a US EPA recommended digital timer to ensure accurate sampling results. Motor options include your choice of a brush-style motor or a brushless style motor. Please review the chart below to view our extensive offering of mass flow controlled TSP high volume air samplers.
| Part Number | Timer | Motor | Power |
| CTZ-5170 | Mechanical | Brush | 110volt 60hz |
| CTZ-5170X | Mechanical | Brush | 220volt 50hz |
| CTZ-5170XZ | Mechanical | Brush | 220volt 60hz |
| CTZ-5170BL | Mechanical | Brushless | 110volt 60hz |
| CTZ-5170BLX | Mechanical | Brushless | 220volt 50hz |
| CTZ-5170BLXZ | Mechanical | Brushless | 220volt 60hz |
| CTZ-5170D | Digital | Brush | 110volt 60hz |
| CTZ-5170DX | Digital | Brush | 220volt 50hz |
| CTZ-5170DXZ | Digital | Brush | 220volt 60hz |
| CTZ-5170D-BL | Digital | Brushless | 110volt 60hz |
| CTZ-5170D-BLX | Digital | Brushless | 220volt 50hz |
| CTZ-5170D-BLXZ | Digital | Brushless | 220volt 60hz |
Volumetric Flow Controlled
Volumetric Flow Controlled (VFC) TSP particulate samplers use a critical orifice with a predetermined orifice hole diameter to control the flow rate. The critical orifice is drilled and calibrated to let only the predetermined flow rate pass through the filter. The motor in these systems operates wide open maintaining a constant flow rate of critical clearance. These systems are available with a 7-day mechanical timer or a US EPA recommended digital timer. These systems can be fitted with an economical brush style motor or a maintenance-free brushless motor.
| Part Number | Timer | Motor | Power |
| CTZ-5170V | Mechanical | Brush | 110volt 60hz |
| CTZ-5170VX | Mechanical | Brush | 220volt 50hz |
| CTZ-5170VXZ | Mechanical | Brush | 220volt 60hz |
| CTZ-5170V-BL | Mechanical | Brushless | 110volt 60hz |
| CTZ-5170V-BLX | Mechanical | Brushless | 220volt 50hz |
| CTZ-5170V-BLXZ | Mechanical | Brushless | 220volt 60hz |
| CTZ-5170DV | Digital | Brush | 110volt 60hz |
| CTZ-5170DVX | Digital | Brush | 220volt 50hz |
| CTZ-5170DVXZ | Digital | Brush | 220volt 60hz |
| CTZ-5170DV-BL | Digital | Brushless | 110volt 60hz |
| CTZ-5170DV-BLX | Digital | Brushless | 220volt 50hz |
| CTZ-5170DV-BLXZ | Digital | Brushless | 220volt 60hz |
MFC PLUS System
The MFC PLUS System is the most advanced TSP ambient particulate sampler on the market. It utilizes a microprocessor-based controller for instantaneous and accurate flow control. The system’s built-in temperature and barometric pressure sensors along with the microprocessor-based mass flow controller allow the system to accurately calculate the flow rate. The PLUS technology flow controllers include a built-in digital timer with internal battery backup, multiple elapsed time indicators, and four data logs with an external USB drive for data retrieval. The system data logs record average, minimum/maximum ambient temperature, barometric pressure, total ambient flow rate, and standard flow rate. These PLUS technology flow controllers include an auto-calibration feature that eliminates the need for lengthy field calibration and manual flow rate calculations.
| Part Number | Motor | Power |
| CTZ-HVPLUS | Brush | 110volt 60hz |
| CTZ-HVPLUSX | Brush | 220volt 50hz |
| CTZ-HVPLUSXZ | Brush | 220volt 60hz |
| CTZ-HVPLUS-BL | Brushless | 110volt 60hz |
| CTZ-HVPLUS-BLX | Brushless | 220volt 50/60hz |
Manual Flow Controlled
Manual Flow Controlled TSP particulate samplers are an economical choice for basic TSP reference method sampling. They feature a simple manual motor adjustment to set the flow rate. The manual flow adjustment allows the user to adjust the motor speed manually to arrive at the desired flow rate. These systems do not have a flow controller and require regular adjustment to the manual speed control to maintain the desired flow rate.
| Part Number | Timer | Motor | Power |
| CTZ-5000 | Mechanical | Brush | 110volt 60hz |
| CTZ-5000X | Mechanical | Brush | 220volt 50hz |
| CTZ-5000XZ | Mechanical | Brush | 220volt 60hz |
| CTZ-5000-BL | Mechanical | Brushless | 110volt 60hz |
| CTZ-5000-BLX | Mechanical | Brushless | 220volt 50hz |
| CTZ-5000-BLXZ | Mechanical | Brushless | 220volt 60hz |
| CTZ-5000D | Digital | Brush | 110volt 60hz |
| CTZ-5000DX | Digital | Brush | 220volt 50hz |
| CTZ-5000DXZ | Digital | Brush | 220volt 60hz |
| CTZ-5000D-BL | Digital | Brushless | 110volt 60hz |
| CTZ-5000D-BLX | Digital | Brushless | 220volt 50hz |
| CTZ-5000D-BLXZ | Digital | Brushless | 220volt 60hz |
Instrument Component
TSP particulate samplers are built with the same basic components. A motor, timer, flow controller, elapsed time indicator, outdoor aluminum shelter, and pressure recorder. We use only high-quality components to ensure reliability and consistency. We offer a variety of options to give the user flexibility and to fit every unique sampling installation.
Manual Flow Controlled:
Manual adjusted motor speed controller.
Mass Flow Controlled(MFC):
The Mass Flow Controller uses a hot wire anemometer to maintain a steady flow rate throughout the sampling period. The hot wire anemometer is inserted into the flow channel and detects changes in thermal mass to increase or decrease the motor speed.
Volumetric Flow Controlled(VFC):
The VFC controller is a critical orifice with a predetermined hole diameter. The critical orifice is calibrated in a NIST traceable lab to determine the volumetric flow rate. The motor runs wide open and as air passes through the critical orifice, the sampler runs at a predetermined flow rate.
PLUS Technology (MFC):
The PLUS technology MFC uses ambient temperature, ambient pressure, and a hot wire anemometer to maintain the set flow rate. This is the most accurate flow controller available. It features an auto-calibration function and a digital timer.
PLUS Technology (VFC):
The Plus Technology volumetric flow controller uses a combination of the critical orifice and the PLUS controller to calculate the ambient flow rate. The system uses temperature, barometric pressure, and orifice pressure to calculate and record the ambient flow rate. The system includes a digital timer.
Brush Style Motor:
Brush Style motors use carbon motor brushes to conduct current within the electric motor. They are low-cost even require routine motor brush changes.
Brushless Style Motor:
Brushless motors do not use motor brushes or require maintenance. They are higher in cost and do not have any emissions.
7-Day Mechanical Timer:
Recognized by its bright yellow timer dial, the 7-day mechanical timer uses a series of on/off trippers to set the sampling schedule.
Digital Timer:
Recommended by the US EPA, the digital timer allows for 1 in 3, 1 in 6, 1 in 7, and custom sampling schedules. Internal battery backup ensures the timer does not need to be reset after a power outage. It includes an LCD screen and soft push buttons for easy operation.
Aluminum Outdoor Shelter:
TSP high-volume air samplers are housed in an anodized aluminum shelter with a gabled roof assembly. The shelter is designed to allow particulate matter to be drawn onto the filter from all four sides. The rugged construction of the outdoor enclosure allows it to withstand the elements with minimal maintenance.
Dickson Chart Recorder:
The Dickson chart recorder is a 4″ pressure cart recorder that records pressure variations over a 24 hour period. The chart recorder is attached to the motor backpressure and records the pressure on the 4″ recorder chart.
Elapsed Time Indicator:
The elapsed time indicator is a mechanical clock the counts the hour and minutes that the instrument is actively collecting a sample. This device is used to track motor life, motor brush changes, and to verify the sampling time.