Abstract: Improved apparatus for collecting particles from air comprises a cyclone having air inlet and outlet means, means maintaining an airflow there through and means delivering a collecting fluid from a reservoir to particles separated from the air flow in the cyclone, in which the air inlet means is associated with means for heating the incoming air. The apparatus, which is optionally provided with enclosure means for trapping heat, prevents freezing of the collecting fluid at temperatures near to and even below 0° C.

Abstract: An air sampler for use in analyzing biological or other analytes, comprizes an airflow chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet. An extract from an air mover draws ambient air in through the inlet, and then through the chamber, to discharge it back to atmosphere by way of an outlet. The airflow chamber houses a cyclone air/liquid separator through which the inflowing air is caused to pass. An injector introduces liquid into air flowing through the air inlet. The cyclone separator extracts this liquid and any entrained particles therein and discharges it from the airflow chamber, initially by way of a duct, where it is then conveyed to a collection vessel, by way of a three channel peristaltic pump, and a duct. The collection vessel is housed within a Peltier-cooled holder to maintain the contents of the vessel within the 2-8 degree Celsius range.

Abstract: With reference to FIG. 1, and air sampler 1 for use in analysing biological or other analytes, comprises an airflow chamber 2 having an air inlet 3 and an air outlet 4. An extract from 5, draws ambient air in through the inlet 3, and then through the chamber 2, to discharge it back to atmosphere by way of an outlet 6. The airflow chamber 2 houses a cyclone air/liquid separator 7 through which the inflowing air is caused to pass. An injector 8 introduces liquid into air flowing through the air inlet 3. The cyclone separator 7 extracts this liquid and any entrained particles therein and discharges it from the airflow chamber 2, initially by way of a duct 9, where it is then conveyed to a collection vessel 12, by way of a three channel peristaltic pump 13, and a duct 14. The collection vessel 12 is housed within a Peltier-cooled holder 15 to maintain the contents of the vessel 12 within the 2° C.-8° C.