TE-20-800 Eight Stage Non-Viable Andersen Cascade Impactor SKU: TE-20-800

The TE-20-800 Eight Stage Non-Viable Andersen Cascade Impactor provides precise aerodynamic particle size distribution analysis for environmental monitoring, pharmaceutical testing, and aerosol research applications. The classical Andersen impactor is a fine example of this type of impactor that draws the air sample through a cascade of progressively finer nozzles. The air jets from these nozzles impact on plane sampling surfaces and each stage collects finer particles than its predecessor.

Operating Principle

A vacuum pump draws air into the inlet. The conical inlet transitions to a cylindrical throat that aims the particle-laden airstream at the adhesive-coated target. Each stage has a series of orifices on its surface whose geometry increases the velocity of the air and the particles in it. The thickness of a stage and the velocity of the particles through the orifices of a stage are such that only particles whose aerodynamic diameter is sufficiently small can follow the flow of the air and reach the orifices of the following stage. Particles that cannot reach the next stage impact on the top of the following stage between its orifices.

Complete System Includes

• Aluminum 8-stage cascade impactor assembly
• Stainless steel load plates for particle collection
• 28.3 L/min vacuum pump for precise flow control
• Connecting tubing and hardware
• Protective carrying case
• Certificate of compliance

Key Specifications

• Flow rate: 28.3 L/min (1.0 CFM)
• Eight sequential impaction stages
• Particle size range: 0.43 to 9.0 µm aerodynamic diameter
• Non-viable sampling (particles collected on solid substrates)
• Aluminum construction for durability

Applications

Cascade impactors are the most widely used means for determining in vitro the particle size distribution of aerosols generated from medical inhalers and nebulizers. They measure aerodynamic particle size directly, this being the most relevant parameter for predicting particle transport within the respiratory tract. The TE-20-800 serves multiple industries including:

• Pharmaceutical aerosol testing and validation
• Environmental aerosol monitoring and assessment
• Industrial hygiene particulate analysis
• Research and development applications
• Quality control for aerosol-generating devices

Measurement Advantages

Cascade impactors offer the major advantage of measuring the aerodynamic diameter of the drug studied. In addition to measuring the range of substances moved through an opening by aerosol, the impactor can also be used to determine the particle size of the distributed substance. A cascade impactor collects its samples in a graduated manner. This allows the user to identify the sizes of the substance particles as the particles are distributed from the propellant aerosol source.

Operational Notes

The TE-20-800 operates as a complete, self-contained system with integrated vacuum pump and flow control. The tops of the impaction stages can be coated with silicone whose purpose is to make the particles adhere to the surface, or a filter especially cut for the purpose can simply be placed on them, which can then be analyzed. The system provides consistent, reproducible results when operated according to established cascade impactor protocols and maintained with appropriate calibration procedures.