Active air sampling for the determination of mercury in ambient air

The PSA Air Sentinel is an unattended ambient air, active sampling device that provides sampling with an accurate air volume for mercury in air studies.

The air sample is actively pumped through the Air Sentinel using a calibrated micro vacuum pump. Depending on the location remoteness and other requirements the system may be powered by a using a DC power pack, or the integrated rechargeable battery pack with solar panel options. The Air Sentinel, compete with mercury trap (Amasil) and solar panel option is shown below.

Once the sample is collected, the volume data downloaded, the AmasilTM gold traps are returned to the laboratory for analysis using the Sir Galahad (II) Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometer. The non-destructive analytical process is rapid (<5mins) and allows the gold traps to be reused for multiple deployments. This sampling approach will determine total gaseous mercury (TGM). Filtration media upstream of the Amasil trap will collect particulate mercury and oxidised forms of mercury. These may be digested and analysed using the Millennium Merlin CV-AFS.

The Air Sentinel offers several key user benefits. It accurately measures and logs sample flow rates, ensuring precise volume calculations. These calculations remain unaffected by weather conditions or power fluctuations, providing reliable data. The device also reduces measurement uncertainty due to its larger and more accurate sample volumes, making it suitable for both short and long-term event monitoring. The turnaround time for analysis is faster, and the system is easy to deploy and install. Additionally, it complies with USEPA, ASTM, ISO, and CEN methods. The Air Sentinel is capable of performing sampling for atmospheric speciation measurements, including particulate matter and oxidized mercury, and is also suitable for measuring other air components such as benzene, VOCs, and dioxins.

The Air Sentinel has a variety of applications. It can be easily added to existing air monitoring stations, enabling seamless integration. It is also suitable for remote outstation ambient air background data collection and can be used for fence line applications, such as monitoring smelting operations, petrochemical plants, thermal power production, and recycling activities. The system is valuable for meeting government occupational health and safety (OH&S) monitoring requirements and can be employed to monitor volcanic and other geological events. Additionally, it has drone mounting capabilities for enhanced flexibility.