Howard Fayne Edwards

US Patent:

59775475, Nov 2, 1999

Filed:

Jan 21, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/009920

Inventors:

Terrance D. Phillips - Aiken SC
Howard D. Edwards - Augusta GA

Assignee:

Westington Savannah River Company - Aiken SC

International Classification:

G01T 704

US Classification:

250393

Abstract:

An apparatus for testing air having contaminants and radon progeny therein. The apparatus includes a sampling box having an inlet for receiving the air and an outlet for discharging the air. The sampling box includes a filter made of a plate of sintered stainless steel. The filter traps the contaminants, yet allows at least a portion of the radon progeny to pass therethrough. A method of testing air having contaminants and radon progeny therein. The method includes providing a testing apparatus that has a sampling box with an inlet for receiving the air and an outlet for discharging the air, and has a sintered stainless steel filter disposed within said sampling box; drawing air from a source into the sampling box using a vacuum pump; passing the air through the filter; monitoring the contaminants trapped by the filter; and providing an alarm when a selected level of contaminants is reached. The filter traps the contaminants, yet allows at least a portion of the radon progeny to pass therethrough.