ASTM_D_2986_-_95a_1999.pdf

Designation:D 2986 95a(Reapproved 1999)Standard Practice forEvaluation of Air Assay Media by the Monodisperse DOP(Dioctyl Phthalate)Smoke Test1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2986;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon(e)indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 The dioctyl phthalate(DOP)smoke test is a highlysensitive and reliable technique for measuring the fine particlearresting efficiency of an air or gas cleaning system or device.It is especially useful for evaluating the efficiency of depthfilters,membrane filters,and other particle-collecting devicesused in air assay work.1.2 The technique was developed by the U.S.Governmentduring World War II.2Its validity for use in evaluation of airsampling media has been well demonstrated.31.3 Although a little latitude is permissible in the associatedequipment and in the operation method,experience has shownthe desirability of operating within established design param-eters and recognized test procedures.41.4 This practice describes the present DOP test method,typical equipment,calibration procedures,and test particles.Itis applicable for use with commercially available equipment.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.For specific safetyprecaution,see 6.1.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:D 1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis ofAtmospheres53.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsFor other definitions of terms used in thispractice,refer to Terminology D 1356.3.2 Other terms are defined as follows:3.3 optical owl,nan optical instrument for visual estima-tion of the particle diameter of the monodisperse aerosol by theangular dependence of light scattering,in accordance with theMie theory.4.Summary of Practice4.1 Amonodispersed aerosol of 0.3-m diameter is continu-ously generated by condensation of DOP vapor under con-trolled conditions.By selective value arrangement,a meteredportion of this aerosol is drawn through a specimen mountcontaining the item under test.Flow rate through the specimenis adjustable and the corresponding flow resistance is noted aspart of the test.4.2 With aerosol generation stabilized(constant particle sizeand concentration),aerosol concentration is measured up-stream and downstream of the specimen under test by use of alinear forward light-scattering photometer.4.3 Results are expressed as percent of DOP penetration atthe flow rate used.5.Apparatus5.1 Equipment for use with this technique consists ofseveral interoperational parts.These are indicated in properrelative arrangement by the diagrammatic sketch,Fig.1.InFig.1,the letter designations refer to the same parts asdescribed in the immediately following subsections:5.2 Air Supply Source(a)This can be a blower as showndiagrammatically or a compressed air source with stepdownregulator.In any case,the air supply source must be clean,freeof entrainment,and sufficient to provide full flow against thetotal resistance of aerosol generator and aerosol conductor linesto the excess aerosol exhaust point.5.3 DOP Aerosol Generator(b)The generator is designedto produce uniform size liquid droplet particles of 0.3-mdiameter at a concentration of about 100 6 20 g/L of air.Further description of the generator is given in 8.3.1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-22 on Samplingand Analysis of Atmospheres and is the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeD22.01 on Quality Control.Current edition approved Sept.10,1995.Published February 1996.Originallypublished as D 2986 71.Last previous edition D 2986 95.2Knudson,H.W.,and White,Locke,Ens.USNR,“Development of SmokePenetration Meters,”Naval Research Laboratory Report No.P-2642,P.B.No.119781,September 1945.3Smith,Walter,J.,and Surprenant,N.F.,“Properties of Various Filtering Mediafor Atmospheric Dust Sampling,”Proceedings,ASTM,Vol 53,1953,pp.11221135.4Instruction ManualPenetrometer,Filter Testing,DOP,Q127 136-300-138B,Edgewood Arsenal,MD,July 1963.5Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vol 11.03.1Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United States.5.4 Aging Chamber(c)This is simply a large vessel(usually about 20 L in volume)wherein some dwell time isprovided to permit stabilization of the aerosol.5.5 Sample Holder(d)Size and design of the sampleholder can be accommodated to the item under test.However,for evaluation of filter media,a circular test area of 100 cm262%is specified.Provision is made to measure flow resistanceacross the test piece.A wire screen may be used to support thesample.5.6 Particle