A metal optical instrument with a sturdy grey-painted base. At the lower central part of the base is a positionable mirror for directing light into the instrument. Two metallic tubes, one longer than the other, are oriented upward from the base.
The longer of the tubes is a microscope used to view dust particles impinged on a glass disc. The other tube is a piston pump used to draw ambient air into the instrument and onto a glass disc onto which an adhesive (usually a solution of vaseline and xylol) has been applied. Dust particles adhering to the disc are counted using the microscope.
The two tubes end in two circular disks at their lower extremity. The upper disk has numbers printed along its outer circumference. This is used to rotate the glass disc so that up to 32 samples may be collected.
A third tube, significantly shorter than the other two, ends in a removable cap which is attached to the instrument by a metal chain.
Accession Number: 2016.phlt.1.122
Alternative Name: Sartorius Conimeter
Primary Materials: Steel, Optical Glass
This instrument features a label that reads:
“Occupational Medicine & Hygiene
University of Toronto
(416) 978-2745”
It features an embossed serial number “2043”
Dimensions (cm): Width = 16.3, Depth = 19.7, Height = 32
This instrument is used to measure dust concentrations.
It was developed for use in mines. It is lightweight, hand powered, and can gather a number of samples on a single glass disc.
Condition: Very Good
Associated Instruments:
Manufacturer: Sartorius, AG. Göttingen, Germany
Date of Manufacture: After c. 1959
Provenance:
Marple, Virgil A. “History of Impactors—The First 110 Years.” <i>Aerosol Science and Technology<.i> 38 (2004): 247–292.
Kusnetz, H. L. “Inertial Collectors” In <i>Air Sampling Instruments</i>, Second
Edition, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists,
Cincinnati, Ohio. 1962.
Guthmann, K. “Enstaubung des braunen Rauches bei der Stahlherstellung durch Sauerstoffaufblasen,” <i>Stahl Eisen</i> 79 no. 23 (1959):1744.
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