APCD QAPP Appendix PM4 – GRIMM EDM 180

December 2022
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Air Pollution Control Division

Technical Services Program

APPENDIX PM4

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR THE

DETERMINATION OF PM10 AND PM2.5 IN AMBIENT AIR USING
A GRIMM EDM 180
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GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1. Purpose
These procedures are intended to supplement the GRIMM EDM 180 operating manual. It is recommended
that the GRIMM Manual be utilized in conjunction with these written procedures during installation,
operation, service, and calibration.

2.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION

2.1. Safety
2.1.1. Electric Safety
Prior to powering on the instrument verify the voltage from the circuit supplying power is within the
manufacturer’s guidelines. Operate the GRIMM only with the designated voltage and the original
external power supply. The Lithium battery (SL-389; 3,6V; 1AH) on the digital circuit board provides
power for the operation of the internal clock. This battery should have an operational life of at least two
years but should only be replaced by trained personnel. Fuses built into the instrument may only be
changed by trained service personnel.

2.1.2. Laser safety

Caution! The GRIMM uses a Class 3B Optical laser. The instrument should only be opened by
GRIMM trained service personnel. During the opening of the laser unit, especially the sample chamber,
laser radiation can be released. Looking directly into the laser can result in eye damage.

2.2. Overview
The GRIMM EDM 180 was developed by GRIMM AEROSOL Technik GmbH & Co. to measure
particulate matter mass concentrations continuously and report PM10, PM2.5, and (where appropriate) PM1.
There are not cut points to maintain with the GRIMM, it counts particles in 31 different size bins, converts
the counts to mass and utilizes controlled flow to report mass concentration in units of µg/m3. The
microprocessor-based unit accommodates all siting requirements and provides internal data storage and
analog and serial data input/output capabilities. In March 2011 the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) designated the GRIMM EDM 180 Monitors as an equivalent method for
the determination of PM2.5 concentrations in ambient air. The GRIMM EDM180 draws the sample
through a stainless steel downtube (di=3mm) into the detection chamber. The particulate matter in the
sample stream are classified by size and counted inside the detection chamber through scattering light
measurement.
A laser collimator generates a homogeneous optical field; a light trap is used to assure low noise due to
scattered light. An inlet on the sample chamber focus’ particles into this optical field (see
Figure 2). Every particle scatters light; when the particulate-laden sample air is pulled through the sample
chamber the scattered light is sent via a mirror to a detector where the light intensity is measured. The
particle size is proportional to the intensity of the reflected light beam. The count rate is determined from
the particle count and the volumetric flow rate. Having known particle diameters and an assumed
density(s) the particle mass can be calculated from the particle count, the method assumes the particles are
spherical. The intensity of the scattered light can be influenced by the particle shape and its refractive
index. However, this influence is very small at typical atmospheric concentrations. The GRIMM
generates mass concentrations for PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 with six seconds of resolution.

3.0 GENERAL OPERATION

3.1. Key Pad

The GRIMM EDM 180 is equipped with an external keypad on the front panel see Figure 1. The
following is a summary of the functions of the keypad in various modes of operation:
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Figure 1: GRIMM EDM 180 Keypad

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Keypad functions
Immediately after powering up the GRIMM EDM 180
Display of the net weight of all measurements and the accompanying sample
Mean/Weight
volume. It will remain on the display as long as the key pressed.
Stand-by Display of the serial number and the operation time.
Filter changed. The filter weight and averages will be deleted. The device starts the
+
self-test.
- Filter not changed. The averages will be deleted. The device starts the self-test.

Keypad functions while instrument is running

Displays the averages of the dust concentration of all valued measurements (PM10,
PM2.5, PM1) after switching on the device or deleting the averages with the related
sample volume. The averages related sample volume appears after approximately 5
Mean/Weight seconds and remains displayed as long as the key is being pressed. By pressing the
[Mean Value] key and the [+] key at the same time the filter weight and its related
sample volume can be displayed.
Stand-by Pressing this key the places the instrument into stand-by mode.
PM Mode Pressing this key will temporarily halt measurement and output.
Pressing this key will show the set measuring location number. This number can be
Battery/Location changed by pressing + and – at the same time. As the GRIMM is only operated by
line voltage (e.g. no battery) the battery capacity will constantly be shown with 130%.
Alarm Pressing this key will display the current alarm state.
+ Will enable cyclic display of the sensor values.
Date/Time Pressing this key will show the current date and time.
Temp./r.H. Display the current state of temperature and relative humidity by pressing this key.
- Pressing this key will disable the cyclic display of the sensor values.

Keypad functions within the stand-by mode

Displays the averages of the dust concentration of all valued measurements.

Mean/Weight Holding the key and pressing ‘-‘at the same time will reset the mass and volume
averages.
Stand-by Will initiate operation of the sampler from stand-by mode.
Additional pressing of the key [+] or [-] enables the user to select two preferred PM
PM Mode
values to display.
Pressing the keys [Battery/Location] and [+] or [-] at the same time lets you change
Battery/Location the measurement location number. It serves the identification of different
measurements and can be set from 1 through 99.
Pressing this key in connection with the [+] or [-] key the mass level can be set from
Alarm
which on the alarm will be going off (0 means Off).
Enhance the memory interval (only with installed storage card) respectively
+
displaying the mailbox and scroll up (only with installed modem).
Date/Time Pressing this key will display the date and time. Pressing and holding this key will
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allow the user to set the date and time. The blinking cursor can be moved by the
keys [+] or [-]. Pressing Date/Time again will move the cursor on. Pressing no key for
a longer period of time will switch the device back into the stand-by mode. Changing
the minutes will zero the seconds.
Pressing this key will display the current sensor values on the display (upper line)
and the time (lower line). Pressing it again will halt the display of the current sensor
Temp./R.H
values. In this mode it is possible to switch on the vacuum pump with pressing [-]
and the sample pump with pressing [+].
Decrease the storage interval (only with installed storage card) respectively
-
displaying the mailbox and scrolling down (only with installed modem).

3.2. Drying
The ambient relative humidity and the temperature are measured by the external sensor. The default
setting for dryer activation is when relative humidity exceeds 55%. When the dryer flow is switched on
the sample is redirected over a Nafion membrane. Nafion enables the removal of humidity from the
sample by drawing water molecules through ion channels in the membrane. A vacuum pump then
removes the humidity via a condensate outlet. The dryer shuts off automatically when the ambient
relative humidity drops below 50%. The default setting for dryer activation can be changed through the
RS232 interface, see the RS232 detail below for more detail.

3.3. Software Configuration

The GRIMM EDM 180 arrives after having undergone extensive checks at the factory and again when the
unit arrives in the United States. The GRIMM can be configured to report PM concentrations or PM
counts in 31 separate size bins. Unless there is a specific reason to report counts APCD configures all
GRIMMs to report PM concentrations. Consult the manual for additional specific options.

3.4. GRIMM EDM 180 Data Output

The GRIMM EDM can be configured to output a line of data (sensor data and mass concentrations) from
an interval of six seconds to 1 minute. These settings can be changed using the RS232 interface. An
example of data output can be found in the GRIMM EDM 180 Operating Manual and presented here (Fast
Output = OFF):

P 15 7 30 8 24 1 0 0 130 7 211 180 0 81 133 0

N_, 299 92 0

3.5. RS232 Interface

RS232 communications with the GRIMM operate with a baud rate of 9600 bps, 8 data bits, one stop bit
and no parity. A null modem cable or straight cable with a null modem fitting can be used to connect the
GRIMM to a PC or data logger. It is best to communicate with the GRIMM using a terminal program;
HyperTerminal is readily available and works well with the analyzer. Once a HyperTerminal session has
been established, typing the ‘?’ key on the PC keyboard while in Stand By mode will show the GRIMM
RS232 Help window, identifying the available commands (see Figure ). Additional explanation of the
commands and their purpose can be found in the GRIMM EDM 180 Operating Manual.

4.0 SITE INSPECTIONS

4.1. Weekly Inspection

Note current conditions on the field form and verify continued proper sampler installation (e.g. check for
presence of water in the shelter and moisture trap). Note the value the Status and Dryer LEDs. If the
Status LED is lit then while the instrument is running press the ‘Alarm’ key on the front panel, note the
value of the Status Code on the form and notify the appropriate APCD personnel.
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4.2. Two-Week Inspection

Perform the Weekly Inspection. Additionally perform ambient temperature and pressure verifications.
Perform a flow verification after a successful leak check. See Section 5.6 for detailed instructions, below.
4.3. Six-Month Inspection
Perform a two-week inspection. Additionally clean the sample air duct (see Section 5.2) and inspect the
dust filter (see Section 5.4) and replace if necessary.
4.4. Annual Inspection/Calibration
A periodic factory inspection/calibration is required to ensure the GRIMM is operating well. Trained
service personnel will replace the on-board batteries, inspect and replace the internal rinsing air filter and
will calibrate the detector. A detailed description of the detector calibration procedure can be found in the
GRIMM EDM 180 Operating Manual.

5.0 MAINTENANCE/VERIFICATION/AUDIT/CALIBRATION PROCEDURES

5.1. Verification Procedures Interval

Batteries Internal batteries should only be changed by trained service
personnel.
Inlet Bug Shield Inspect and clean if necessary every two weeks
Sample Air Duct Inspect and clean every six months
Dust Filter Replace every six months
Leak check Perform a leak check prior to every two-week verification
procedure, every time any part of the flow system is interrupted or
broken, and once per year prior to Mass flow controller hardware
calibration.
Ambient Temperature Verify the ambient temperature measurement once every two
weeks.
Ambient Pressure Verify the ambient pressure measurement once every two weeks.
Calibrate the sensor once per year or as needed.
Flow audit Perform flow verification once every two weeks and after every
calibration.

5.2. Sample Inlet Bug Screen

Periodically the insect screen should be examined and cleaned if there are any obstructions. Place the
instrument in StandBy mode and using clean, compressed air remove any obstructions from the bug
screen. Return the instrument to operating mode.

5.3. Sample Air Duct Inside the Optical Chamber

Put the GRIMM in StandBy mode and turn it off using the power switch on the front panel. Remove the
sample downtube from the top of the unit and the glass bottle from the front compartment. Blow the
sample air duct with clean, oil-free compressed air with a maximum pressure of ~42 psi from the top
down, never from the bottom up. After cleaning install the glass bottle and remount the sample downtube.
Take care while remounting the bottle as an incorrectly mounted bottle will cause the instrument to leak.
Turn the instrument back on and return it to normal operation

5.4. Dust Filter (BQ Filter)

Periodically the dust filter (see flow schematic, above) which collects all of the sampled particulate matter
should be changed. Put the instrument in Standby mode and power off using the power button on the front
panel. Remove the top cover, the BQ filter can be simply removed from its seat, located near the
centerline of the analyzer towards the front. Note the direction of the arrow on the filter as placed prior to
removal. Remove the BQ filter and replace as the original was oriented. Replace the top cover and return
the instrument to Operating mode. This is also performed at the annual inspection by trained personnel.

5.5. Internal rinsing air filter

In order to protect the laser optics from contamination and also to ensure the instrument can perform its
self-test routine, particle-free air is generated by an internal fine filter. The life expectancy of this filter is
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several years; consequently this filter should only be changed by trained service staff. The message,
"CHECK NOZZLE AND AIR INLET", may be a sign that the rinsing air supply is not adequate and that
the filter must be replaced. Please contact the manufacturer or local sales representative.

5.6. Leak Check Procedure

Using the GRIMM EDM 186 leak check/verification kit (or custom APCD leak check/verification kit) line
the face of the silicon stopper with vacuum grease. With the instrument operating place the stopper
around the sample down tube immediately beneath the bug shield, the smaller side oriented upwards.
Compress the cap (or APCD FTS) around the silicon stopper. Insert the zero test filter onto the cap (and
block the manometer port if using an APCD FTS). Wait for one minute and verify that the GRIMM
reports a mass concentration of 0 µg/m3 for all particulate readings. This results indicates the instrument
is pneumatically tight. If a reading other than 0 µ/m3 is observed the operator should check all the
connections and reseat the cap on the silicon stopper. Once a mass concentration of 0 µg/m3 is observed
the operator can perform the rest of the verification procedures or return the instrument to normal
operation. Note the leak check results on the GRIMM field form.

5.7. Ambient Air Temperature Verification

Perform the weekly activities and leak check verifying the ambient temperature.
Follow these steps to verify the ambient air temperature:
1. The instrument’s ambient temperature can be viewed on the data logger. If this isn’t the case then
on the front panel press the Temp./r.H. key, temperature is displayed in oC.
2. Determine the current temperature (°C) at the ambient temperature sensor using an external
thermometer, [°C = 5/9 x (°F - 32)].
3. Verify that the reported value of the current ambient temperature is within ± 2° C of the measured
temperature. If this is not the case there may be a problem with the external temperature sensor,
notify the appropriate APCD personnel.
4. Note the results on the GRIMM log sheet.

5.8. Ambient Pressure Verification

Perform the weekly checks, leak check, and ambient air temperature verification before verifying the
ambient pressure
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Follow these steps to verify the ambient pressure:

1. The instrument’s ambient pressure can usually be viewed on the data logger. If this isn’t the case
then on the front panel press while the instrument is running press the ‘+’ key to enable the cyclic
display of the sensor values. Ambient pressure is displayed in hPa.
2. Determine the current ambient pressure in hPa.
3. Verify the monitor’s ambient pressure by measuring the current ambient station pressure with an
independent barometer.
• To convert from hPa to atm divide by 1013.25.
• To convert from hPa to mm Hg multiply by 0.75012.
5. Verify that the reported value field is within ±10 mm Hg or 0.013 atm of the measured ambient
pressure. If this is not the case there may be a problem with the internal pressure sensor, notify the
appropriate APCD personnel.
4. Note the results on the GRIMM log sheet

5.9. Flow Verification Procedure

If using an EDM 186 kit then connect one end of the red tubing to a flow audit adaptor. Insert an adapted piece of
1.25” OD downtube into the open end of the flow audit adaptor and a flow transfer standard onto the open end of the
adapted downtube. Connect a manometer using appropriate tubing to the flow transfer standard and record the
manometer reading (inH2O) on the form. If using an APCD FTS then simply connect a manometer to the
manometer port and record the manometer reading (inH2O) on the form.
Calculate the flow rate according to the following equation (note the results on the field form):

Qltp = ((Ta/Pa)*ΔH2O)1/2 *m +b where

Qltp = flow rate, actual conditions, liters per minute

Ta = ambient temperature, degrees Kelvin
Pa = ambient pressure, atmospheres
ΔH2O = manometer reading, inches water
m = flow transfer standard slope
b = flow transfer standard intercept

The acceptable range for a successful flow verification is from 1.15 lpm to 1.25 lpm. Any flow greater than 1.26
lpm or less than 1.14 lpm should be a possible reason for recalibrating the instrument and or data invalidation.
Contact appropriate APCD personal should an operator see any flow outside 4% of 1.2 lpm.

If using an APCD FTS then simply connect a manometer to the manometer port and record the manometer reading
(inH2O) on the form. Calculate the flow rate as above, note the value on the GRIMM log.

5.10. QUALITY ASSURANCE

Accuracy is defined as the degree of agreement between a measured value and the true, expected, or accepted value.
Quantitative comparisons are made between the measured value and the true, standard value during audits.

APCD Quality Assurance staff, which is independent of the PM program, conducts field audits quarterly on all PM
samplers as an operational goal. The field audit is performed by measuring flow, temperature, pressure and time of
the sampler with standards that are independent of those used in the calibration of the sampler. Audit standards must
be certified against a NIST traceable standard and be of the same or of higher quality than of those being certified.

To ensure a quality audit, it is important that the audit is performed during a period of good weather and stable
conditions. If the weather and/or conditions are not suitable, the audit should be rescheduled. Essentially audits are
performed very similar to the verification procedures described within this SOP, except the audit is performed by a
person independent of PM monitoring staff and with independent standards.

See Appendix QA1: Standard Operating Procedures for Audits for detailed information on audits.
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6.0 CALIBRATION PROCEDURES

All calibration procedures must be done in the following order.

6.1. Hardware setup Prior to Flow Calibration

Follow these steps to set up the hardware prior to performing any calibration procedure. The operator must first
perform a successful leak check, a flow verification and confirmatory flow verification with a different flow transfer
standard prior to performing a flow calibration:

1. Place the GRIMM in Standby mode using the front panel or RS232 and turn the power off.
2. Remove the top panel.

Find the pot that controls the flow rate, the pot is located on a blue block with a screw and red polish on it. Turn the
power back on; take care to not cause a short in the motherboard by touching it with a metal tool. With a flow
transfer standard in place and after having calculated what the manometer reading should be for a flow rate of 1.2
liters per minute adjust the pot until the desired manometer reading is achieved. Turn the pot clockwise to increase
the flow rate and counter clockwise to decrease the flow rate. Make any change incrementally (i.e. small
adjustments) until the desired manometer reading is achieved. Verify the flow after calibration with a separate flow
transfer standard.

6.1.1. Factory Calibration/Certification

Periodically each EDM 180 needs to be factory recertified to verify each unit is working properly, see the
manufacturer’s operating manual for full details.

7.0 FIGURES

Figure 2 GRIMM EDM 180 Sample Chamber Configuration

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Figure 3 GRIMM EDM 180 Flow Diagram

Figure 4 GRIMM EDM 180 RS232 Command List

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Figure 5 GRIMM EDM 180 Field Form

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Figure 6 GRIMM Field Audit Form