摘要 |
An improved dosimeter having a low air flow rate for monitoring working areas in which air is pumped through the dosimeter at a controlled constant low rate of flow and any particles or vapors in the air are collected on a filter, a variable drive pump having an inlet and an outlet is connected to the filter and is driven by an electric motor and controlled by a feed back circuit of an integrator and an amplifier and the pump maintains a constant flow of air through the dosimeter; in operation of the dosimeter the integrator receives a signal from a pressure switch that detects changes in the flow of the air stream through the dosimeter by a change in a pressure drop of the air which is being pumped through an orifice; The improvement is the use of an adjustable by-pass valve connected in parallel with the variable drive pump in such a manner that regulated quantities of air from the outlet of the pump are recycled to the inlet of the pump thereby allowing the pump to provide a constant low flow rate of air; In utilization of the dosimeter, the dosimeter is placed in a work area or worn by an individual and at the termination of a period of time, such as a work day, the filter is removed and the contents collected are analyzed by conventional techniques such as gas chromatography to determine a level of exposure of individuals working in that area. |