The simplest, most affordable, and safest germ collector for compressed gases with new safety technology

The SCHICO Incubator M2000 is a proven measurement system for detecting microorganisms in compressed gases, in accordance with the recommendations of ISO 14698.

The detection of germs is based on a membrane filter method that allows testing the gas at the pressure at which it is used in production, i.e., without pressure reduction before measurement!

This prevents microorganisms from being damaged in their cell membranes. Damaged cells can no longer form colonies and therefore cannot be counted. Pressure reduction before measurement should be strictly avoided if the measurement is to be meaningful.

Other methods that reduce the gas pressure before measurement can result in inaccurate readings.

The SCHICO measurement system is particularly suitable for determining the microbial count in air, nitrogen, or oxygen without needing recalibration for each individual gas; one calibration is sufficient for three gases.

Of course, other gases can also be tested, e.g., carbon dioxide.

The mass flow system is then calibrated with carbon dioxide.

New is the fact that the M2000 features a fault lamp that indicates if the back pressure in the gas line drops completely or only briefly during measurement, and the measurement must be discarded because it no longer falls within the calibrated accuracy range.

Here is a brief description of working with the M2000:

The portable measurement device is housed in an elegant and easily disinfectable case (briefcase size), with a total weight including a sterilized stainless steel part of 9 kg.

Before starting a measurement, the sterilized part must be sterilized either in a steam autoclave at 121°C for 20 minutes or by another method. For steam sterilization, the entire sterilized part is sealed in a foil permeable only to steam. A 0.2 µm membrane filter made of polyethersulfone is already pre-installed in the filter holder of the sterilized part.

At the measurement site, the sampling point is disinfected, e.g., with alcohol spray, the sterilized part is detached from the foil at the quick-connect, and then quickly connected to the sampling coupling at the deployment site.

The measurement case is set up close to the measurement site and supplied with power. An outlet (230/50) should be nearby. If an electrical connection is not possible or practical, the measurement case can be operated on battery power. With a full charge of the lithium-ion battery, 15 measurements of 15 minutes each can be performed (such a measurement corresponds to about 1 m³ of air).

The supplied connecting hose then connects the sterilized part, freed from the foil, to the measuring device. Starting the device via a power button on the case (with the case lid closed) automatically begins the measurement. A defined amount of compressed gas, usually

1 m³ at nearly constant differential pressure, is drawn through the membrane filter. The filter is pressurized with the pressure set for use in the process.

In the case of air, this takes about 15 minutes, depending on the existing back pressure, see above.

After the preset amount has been drawn, the automatic valve in the measurement case closes automatically. The measurement is complete and indicated by the extinguishing of the signal lamp on the power button.

Then, the hose is slowly depressurized from the remaining internal pressure; the flow direction at the membrane filter is not changed. The hose is disconnected. The sterilized part is also removed from the sampling coupling at the sampling point and, if necessary, reinserted into the remaining foil and sealed.

Samples can be taken at other sampling points if multiple sterilized parts have been prepared in advance.

If a "laminar flow bench" is available in the room, the respective sterile filters loaded with germs can also be removed from the sterilized part and new pre-sterilized filters can be inserted into the sterilized part.

Subsequently, the membrane filter is taken for microbiological evaluation.

For testing gases that need to be checked in non-sterile production or in aseptically produced products that are sterilized only in the final container, sterilization in the autoclave is not necessary. The "procedure" becomes simpler. Contact us for more information.

Messages and inquiries are best (fastest way) via email.

SCHICO Engineering Office GmbH

Ruffinistrasse 8

80637 Munich

Tel.: +49 89 146061

Fax: +49 89 146098

Email: schicogmbh@t-online.de

www.schico.com