PCM Inlet Flow and Leak Checks

Purpose:  To ensure that the PCM system is leak tight and no external air (ie. unfiltered air) is entering the airflow.   This should be done on a day that the sampler is not running preferably after the sample change-out has been completed. This can also be done in conjunction with Dichot and NH3 Inlet Flow/Leak checks.

Required Equipment:  Bios with High cell

                                                    White Teflon inlet adaptor (male and female)

                                                    Pen and Site log

Reference:  SOPMAN

1. Down the PCM channels via the Set Flags button on the site analyzer screen.
2. Equip the Bios with the High Cell and the inlet (male threaded) flow adapter.
3. To turn the PCM on, use the “Set PCM and Dichot Start Dates” prompt found under “Setup” on the toolbar in the ARASiteManager Screen/DAS. Note: This triggers the Dichot, PCM and NH3 pumps.
4. Change the date to today’s date by using the “drop down” arrow and selecting ex: “Today: 4/22/2004. Hit the “Update Sample Start Dates” button.
5. Obtain the “Pump Off” value for the leak check by removing the vacuum side of the PCM MFC’s. Record this value in your site log.
6.  Put these lines back in place and then record (in the site log) the flow rates from the DAS for the PCM1 and PCM3.
7. Take the BIOS up to the roof.
8. Remove the PM10 Cyclone inlet/gooseneck and set aside.
9.  Connect the Bios tubing from the “Outlet” side of the Hi-Flow cell to the inlet using the inlet (male threaded) flow adapter. Be careful that the tubing does not crimp thus restricting the flow.
10. Turn the BIOS on and wait until the Main Menu appears. Hit the “Enter” key. Hold down both the “Select” and “Enter” buttons on the front of the BIOS at the same time for 2-3 seconds then release to begin recording the flow.
11. Record (in the site log) three “VAve” at 10 cycles from the BIOS.
12. Obtain the temperature from the Psychrometer and the BP from the DAS and record these in the site log.
13. For the leak check, you will need to turn the pumps off by resetting the date in the “Set PCM and Dichot Start Dates window.
14. Cap the inlets using red caps.
15. Turn pump back on and wait for the flow to fall to/near zero. Please note: If a leak can not be resolved and the problem has been narrowed to the filterpack itself, please mark the filterpack and return to Mactec with a note stating “the filterpack failed leak test and should be removed from circulation.
16. Record the “Inlet Capped” value in the site log.
17. While pumps are still running, carefully remove the caps from the inlets.
18. Replace the PM10 Cyclone inlet/gooseneck.
19. Change the “Set PCM and Dichot Start Dates” back to the original date of 1/7/2000 and hit the “Update Sample Start Dates”.
20. With the information that you have obtained, enter the data in the electronic form (which is found on the toolbar under Flow Checks>Flow Audit) under the appropriate “PCM Inlet”.