SKC GS-1 Single-inlet Cyclone

Introduction

The GS-1 Cyclone is a 10-mm lightweight conductive plastic sampler with a single inlet. It is designed for use with either a Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) Cassette or a standard three-piece 37-mm cassette and filter (25 mm with adapter accessory) for collecting respirable dust particles. The GS-1 Cyclone conforms to the ISO 7708/CEN criteria of a 4-µm 50% cut-point at 2 L/min with minimum bias. The cyclone can be operated at 1.7 or 2 L/min to meet MSHA DPM sampling requirements, or at 3 L/min for a 3.5-µm cut-point to meet the MSHA for silica standard. The GS-1 Cyclone is supplied with a 37-mm cassette adapter, bowl adapter, and grit pot.

Figure 1. GS-1 Cyclone with standard 37-mm cassette installed - exploded view

Components:

• Plug
• Cassette outlet
• Support pad
• Filter
• Cassette ring (middle)
• Cassette adapter (37 mm, supplied assembled with cyclone body)
• Nodule for holder
• Bowl adapter
• Retaining tab
• Cyclone top (supplied assembled with cyclone body)
• Thumbscrew
• Cyclone body
• Grit pot

Required Equipment

• Sample pump capable of specified flow rate
• 1/4-inch ID (3/8-inch OD) Tygon® tubing for calibration train
• Electronic calibrator
• Calibration Jar (Cat. No. 225-111)
• Cassette Holder (Cat. No. 225-1)
• Filter Cassettes sampling media (225 Series)

Getting Started

Assembling Cyclone with Standard 37 or 25-mm 3-piece Cassette (Figure 1)

The GS-1 Cyclone is supplied fully assembled with bowl adapter and 37-mm cassette adapter. A 25-mm cassette adapter is sold separately as Cat. No. 225-101.

1. Determine cassette diameter to be used with cyclone.
• If using a 37-mm cassette, proceed to Step 2.
• If using a 25-mm cassette, remove the 37-mm cassette adapter from the cyclone (pull it off the top) and replace it with the 25-mm cassette adapter accessory (align with cyclone top and press on until firmly seated).
2. Disassemble a three-piece cassette and set aside the inlet section (usually marked "inlet"). Keep the inlet section for closing the cassette after sampling.
3. Select a filter and support pad as specified in the sampling method. Place the support pad into the cassette outlet section and place the filter on top of the support pad. Insert the cassette ring (middle) section into the cassette outlet section, ensuring a firm seal.
4. Hold the cyclone upside down (cassette adapter facing downward). Insert the cassette adapter into the cassette middle ring section. Press until a firm seal is established.
5. Ensure the thumbscrew on the cyclone is secure and that the grit pot remains on the cyclone body during calibration and sampling.

Inserting Cyclone/Cassette Assembly in Cassette Holder (Figure 2)

Figure 2. GS-1 Cyclone/cassette assembly in holder (Cat. No. 225-1)

1. Insert the cyclone body through the large opening of the cassette holder.
2. Ensure the cyclone/cassette assembly is seated firmly in the holder by inserting the small round nodule on the rim of the bowl adapter into the notch in the cassette holder.
3. Remove the plug from the cassette outlet.
4. Secure the cyclone/cassette assembly in the holder by stretching the spring-loaded hold-down plate over the cassette outlet.
5. Insert the holder's Luer adapter (located on the end of the spring-supported rubber tubing) into the cassette outlet.

See Form 40081 for using the GS-1 Cyclone with a DPM Cassette.

Operation

Calibration

Flow rate:

• 2 L/min for 4-µm 50% cut-point (see References)
• 3 L/min for a 3.5-µm cut-point (MSHA silica standard)
• 1.7 or 2 L/min for removing large particles when sampling with DPM Cassette (MSHA DPM Sampling)

1. Prepare a cyclone/cassette assembly (Figures 1 and 2). Ensure grit pot remains on the cyclone body during calibration.
2. SKC recommends using the smallest calibration jar possible. To achieve this, do NOT use Cassette Holder Cat. No. 225-1 during calibration.
3. Place cyclone/cassette assembly into an airtight calibration jar that contains an inlet and outlet (Cat. No. 225-111; Figure 3).
4. Using flexible tubing, connect the outlet of the calibrator to the inlet of the calibration jar.
5. Run tubing from the outlet of the cyclone/cassette assembly through the outlet of the calibration jar and to the inlet of a sample pump. If using the Calibration Jar (Cat. No. 225-111), connect the Luer adapter inside the jar lid to the cassette outlet. Connect the jar outlet tubing to the sample pump inlet.
6. Turn on the pump and calibrate to the desired flow rate following directions in the pump and calibrator operating instructions.
7. After calibration, disassemble the calibration jar, remove the cyclone/cassette assembly, and replace the cassette used for calibration with a fresh (unused) cassette to be used for sampling.

Figure 3. GS-1 Cyclone/cassette assembly in calibration jar

Calibration Setup:

• Calibrator: Inlet (pressure), Outlet (suction)
• GS-1 Cyclone/cassette assembly (inside Cat. No. 225-111 calibration jar)
• Multi-purpose Calibration Jar (Cat. No. 225-111): Inlet, Outlet
• Sample pump
• Tygon tubing

Sampling

Check the sampling method being used for flow rate and sampling media requirements.

1. Calibrate pump to desired flow rate using representative sampling media. See Calibration.
2. Leave grit pot in place during calibration and sampling.
3. Ensure a fresh cassette has been installed on the cyclone and the cyclone/cassette assembly has been inserted into the cassette holder. See Inserting Cyclone/Cassette Assembly in Cassette Holder.
4. Using the Tygon tubing attached to the cassette holder, connect the holder containing the cyclone/cassette assembly to the inlet of the calibrated sample pump.
5. Clip holder near the breathing zone and clip pump to the worker's belt.
6. Start pump and record pertinent details.
7. Sample for the time specified in the method.
8. Turn off pump when sampling is complete and record pertinent details.
9. Remove cyclone/cassette assembly from holder and immediately cap the cassette outlet.
10. Separate cassette from cyclone and immediately replace the inlet section of the cassette. Cap the inlet with the provided plug.
11. Package cassette and send it with all data to a laboratory for analysis.

Important: Discard particles that were collected in the cyclone's grit pot. ⚠️

Maintenance

Cleaning

After sampling, clean all parts of the cyclone, including the interior of the grit pot, with mild soapy water. The cyclone can be wiped with a clean dust-free tissue, air dried, blown dry, or wiped with isopropyl alcohol.

Caution: Do not use strong solvents to clean the cyclone. ❌

References

• Trakumas, S., et al., Performance Assessment of Personal Respirable Cyclone Samplers, AIHce Presentation 191, 2003, https://bit.ly/3GqxJ1C (PowerPoint presentation)
• OSHA Final Rule on Respirable Crystalline Silica, www.osha.gov/silica/

Accessories/Replacement Parts

SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy

SKC products are subject to the SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy, which provides SKC's sole liability and the buyer's exclusive remedy. To view the complete SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy, go to skcinc.com/warranty.