METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SAMPLING CONTAMINANTS

摘要

Cargo items (70) being sampled are placed on a pallet (72) on a table (20) oscillatably mounted on springs (22) in a sampling chamber (10). Pressurized air from compressor (48) is lead into chamber (10) by pressure conduit (40) via branch conduit (41) which leads pressurized air past heater (44) and misting device (46) through top valve (42). Further branching from conduit (40) leads into chamber (10) via heater (44'), misting device (46'), conduit (40') and side valve (42'). A vacuum pump (50) is used to withdraw air from the chamber (10) via exit conduit (54) so that it passes through collection system (52) and exit conduits (60, 60').