March 2005
Microbial Monitoring of Compressed Air
The microbiological quality of compressed air and gases can have a serious impact on product quality. The new Pinocchio Super now provides a convenient way to monitor compressed air or gas supplies for viable particles.
Manufactured by International pbi and supplied in the UK by Cherwell Laboratories, the Pinocchio Super employs the multi point impaction method of active sampling. Air is aspirated through a perforated cover and particles are impacted on to the agar surface of a Contact plate or Petri dish. This method is the same as that used in the SAS range of portable units and can, therefore, retain continuity with other general microbial monitoring programs.
The Pinocchio Super is easily attached to the air or gas line and a regulating valve controls the pressure delivered to the sampler. A flow meter adjusts the sampling rate between 20 and 180 litres per minute. Therefore, a standard sample size of one cubic metre can be completed in under 6 minutes.
The Pinocchio Super can be fully dismantled for easy cleaning prior to use and is a totally portable system. The unit does not require power and, therefore, can be used in high risk areas. Cherwell can also supply the consumables from it's Redipor range of prepared media, which includes gamma irradiated Petri dishes and Contact plates.
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