Solutions for microbial sampling Page 1 of 6

Solutions for your microbial

sampling challenges

CI-90 provides on-board label printer to provide traceability between the sample and sample record.

CI-99: for applications where permanent installation and control through Ethernet is preferred.

CI-95: Small and rugged portable that operate on AC power or battery.

1320 West Colton Avenue 909-793-2788

Redlands, CA 92374 sales@climet.com

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What is a microbial sampler?

A microbial sampler captures viable (biologically active) particles, such as

bacteria and fungi, by drawing an air sample over a petri dish containing an

agar. The sample is incubated, allowing any viable particles to grow and form

colonies in the agar. After incubation, any colonies can be counted to

determine the concentration of CFUs (Colony Forming units) present in the air

sample.

A particle counter gives an instant indication of a potential problem, allowing

production to be halted before expensive ingredients are wasted, but a

particle counter cannot determine whether the particles are viable or not. The

microbial sampler reveals the presence of viable particles, but only after an

incubation period. Where viable particles are a concern, a comprehensive

monitoring system requires both non-viable particle counters and microbial

sampling. The release of product depends on the results of the incubation of

the agar.

Choose Climet for dependability

Climet microbial samplers have sturdy, stainless steel enclosures, preferred for

resistance to cleaning solutions. The overlays seal the display and LED

openings, protecting the display and internal electronics from cleaning

solutions.

ISO 14698 specifies a cubic meter sample “in a reasonable time” that avoids

drying of the agar. Climet microbial samplers provide 100 LPM flow,

completing a cubic meter sample in 10 minutes. The samplers use the same,

proven vacuum source used in Climet particle counters since 1993. This

rugged vacuum source maintains accurate flow, even after the instrument

has been dropped.

The DC powered blower provides a regulated vacuum source. The blower

allows the portable models to operate on battery power 7.5 to 9 hours on a

full charge. The exhaust is filtered, emitting no more than one 0.5 micron

particle per cubic foot.

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Choose the CI-90 for traceability

The CI-90 portable microbial sampler comes with a built-in label printer. Print

up to 3 matching labels to identify the ager dish and records, eliminating

recording errors and assuring that the sample is correctly identified.

The CI-90 allows the printout to identify the unit (Unit ID), the location (Site ID),

and the user (User ID). The printout also records the sample volume and the

date and time.

From the menu the following parameters can be set:

The sample volume—5 liters (3 seconds) to 1100 liters (11 minutes),

The time delay to allow the user to leave the area—3 seconds to 99

minutes and 59 seconds,

The number of labels to print,

A flow alarm,

Beep on completion of the sample,

Security options.

The CI-9X Loader software is provided with the CI-90. This program allows the

user to enter site IDs and their default sample volumes into a computer file,

which can be uploaded on to multiple CI-90s and serve as a back-up for

settings.

Choose the CI-95 for smaller size

The CI-95 is like the CI-90, but does not have a printer; this makes it smaller and

lighter than the CI-90, and less expensive.

For some applications, an entire process may need to be monitored from

beginning to end. To accommodate sample processes greater than the

normal ten minute sample period, the microbial sampler allows the user to

segment the sample into short duty cycles spread over as much as three

hours.

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Choose the CI-99 for permanent installations

The CI-99 is housed in a stainless steel enclosure with a

flanged inlet and outlet that can be used with stan-

dard stainless steel tubing and clamps to place the

sample head in the desired location. The

enclosure is rated IP-54 to facilitate cleaning.

The front panel has six status LEDs:

Power Illuminates (green) when on

Sample Illuminates (green) during sampling

Alarm Illuminates (red) for flow alarms or if

there is a setup error

Delay Illuminates (amber) during delay

Blower Illuminates (green) when blower is

on

Ethernet Illuminates (amber) when Ethernet

is connected; blinks when

communication is in progress

While the portable microbial samplers allow remote sampling with adapters,

the CI-99 is better suited for permanent installations. The use of flanged,

stainless steel piping with sanitary fittings provides a clean, reliable installation.

The stainless steel piping makes cleaning easier.

The sampling assembly comes in two versions: with a side or bottom port. This

allows greater versatility in placing the sample assembly.

Ethernet allows the CI-99 to be started remotely, and allows settings to be

made through a computer. Permanent installations are typically used to

monitor a process which may last as much as an hour, or more. Like the

portable models, the CI-99 can extend the sampling period by segmenting or

splicing the sample period into a number of sampling segments separated by

idle periods—a duty cycle—that allows the entire process to be covered.

The sampling activity can be controlled via Ethernet, but the sampling can

also be controlled by external contacts (such as through a PLC), and the CI-99

has internal contacts which can be connected to the PLC or other indicators

monitor the status of the sampling.

Rear view

Clamp fitting samples

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Accessories expand sampling capabilities

Remote sampling

Accessories allow the microbial samplers to be used in a variety of situations.

Remote sampling adapters allow the sample head to be placed remotely,

away from the portable sampler, when the

sampler will not fit in the area to be sampled.

The sample head is removed from the

instrument and replaced with an adapter

(left) with a hose

port; the

sample head

is installed on

the remote

sample assembly

(shown at right, with a side port and the

sample head installed; the remote head

assembly is also available with a bottom port).

The remote sampling head and the remote

sampling adapter are connected through flexible tubing. Proper flow is

maintained by the flow control circuitry of the CI-90 and CI-95.

The CI-99 is designed specifically for remote sampling in permanent

installations. The CI-99 comes supplied with a choice of sampling assemblies.

The sampling assembly has either a side or bottom port; the port is flanged,

making easy attachment to the flanged stainless steel pipes used with the

CI-99.

Sampling compressed air

Climet offers an adapter for use with a

High Pressure Diffuser. The adapter

contains the sample head, and is

cone-shaped to allow the

sample to spread out to the

dimensions of the head. The

High Pressure Diffuser

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adapter head is shown in two views above, showing the cone shape of the

adapter, and the built-in sample head screen.

The port at the top of the cone is used to connect flexible tubing to the outlet

of the High Pressure Diffuser, such as the Climet CI-302 diffuser. The Bev-A-Line

XX tubing is supplied with the diffuser.