Parker Balston New Compressed Air Testing Device

New Compressed Air Testing Device Allows Users to Test for the Presence of Microbial Contamination in Compressed Air Systems

HAVERHILL, Mass. — The Filtration and Separation Division of Parker Hannifin Corporation, the global leader in motion and control technologies, has introduced an innovative compressed air microbial detection device which allows users to quickly test for microbial contamination in compressed air that comes into contact with food and food contact surfaces.

The warm, dark, moist environment inside a compressed air system provides the perfect conditions for microbes to flourish and grow. These bacteria flow along with the air stream and begin their journey through the compressed air system. Introducing this type of microbial contamination to food products is very risky and would be considered a lack of control by the facility. It is not always apparent where the compressed air is contacting the food. Working surfaces such as counters and conveyors are obvious and manageable contact points. However, air is invisible, and leaves no visible trace where it contacts the food, food contact surfaces, or the packaging.

Currently, the only devices capable of sampling compressed air systems for microbes are expensive, cumbersome, require lengthy sample times and extensive training.

The Parker Balston CAMTU detection device allows food safety personnel to quickly and easily test for contamination present in compressed air supplies that come in direct contact with food product or food packaging/processing equipment. The CAMTU is portable, weighing less than one pound, and is supplied with connection tubing, shut off valve, pressure regulator, and metering orifice.

To obtain a sample, simply plug the CAMTU into the compressed air system, expose the petri dish for 20 seconds and then incubate the dish for 24 - 48 hours.

Testing is critical for understanding how to properly treat the compressed air. The CAMTU will assist with identifying Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) risks. Without adequate treatment in place, an increased risk of food product contamination exists.

For additional information about Parker Balston products, please contact Forberg Scientific Customer Service.
Toll Free: 855-288-5330
Email: mechanicalsales@forberg.com
www.forberg.com

Balston NitroFlow 60 LC/MS Membrane Nitrogen Generator

Haverhill, MA, May 30, 2012 – The Filtration and Separation Division of Parker Hannifin Corporation, the global leader in motion and control technologies, has introduced the Parker Balston NitroFlow 60 LC/MS Membrane Nitrogen Generator.

The Parker Balston NitoFlow 60 is a self-contained nitrogen generator capable of producing up to 60 slpm of pure LC/MS grade nitrogen at pressures of up to 110 psig. This system is ideal for multiple LC/MS and new LC/MS instruments requiring high flow. The output flow produced by the NitroFlow 60 is equivalent to using one cylinder of compressed gas every two hours.

Nitrogen is produced utilizing a combination of a scroll compressor and nitrogen membrane separation technologies. This combination of technologies yields the highest performing, most quiet, and reliable integrated nitrogen generation system available.

If you would like to receive more information about Parker Balston Membrane Compressed Air Dryers or other Parker Balston Products please contact Forberg Scientific customer service.
Phone: 248-288-5330
Email: mechanicalsales@forberg.com

Parker Balston Membrane Compressed Air Dryers Exemption from EU ATEX Directive

Parker Balston Membrane Compressed Air Dryers Receive Exemption from EU ATEX Directive

Haverhill, MA, May 21, 2012 - The Filtration and Separation Division of Parker Hannifin Corporation, the global leader in motion and control technologies, is pleased to announce that Parker Balston Membrane Compressed Air Dryers are exempt from the EU ATEX Directive.

According to the Hazardous Locations Product Team of CSA International, “The Membrane Dryer products are not required to meet the EU ATEX Directive. The product is non-electrical with no moving mechanical components. The air movement within the product is not likely to produce static as an ignition hazard…There is not enough energy around to cause an ignition.”

Parker Balston Membrane Air Dryers offer the unique ability to lower a compressed air stream’s dewpoint without electricity or moving parts permitting use in flammable and hazardous environments where explosions or fires are a concern.

The drying system produces a dewpoint of -40°F (-40°C) and lower while removing all other compressed air contaminants 0.01 micron in size and larger. The system utilizes sophisticated technology to dehydrate the air without the need of electricity. The wall mountable air dryers can be easily configured and are ideal for space constrained. Unsurpassed in performance and durability to dehydrate and purify compressed air, Parker Balston Membrane Air Dryers significantly outperform conventional air filtration. Prefilters, membrane, modules and mounting brackets are included with the system.

If you would like to receive more information about Parker Balston Membrane Compressed Air Dryers or other Parker Balston Products please contact Forberg Scientific customer service.
Phone: 248-288-5330
Email: mechanicalsales@forberg.com

Protect you refrigerated air dryer with proper filtration

Author: David J. Connaughton
Blog: Compressed Air the Fourth Utility

Refrigerated dryers rely on HCFC (Hydrochlorofluorocarbons) to cool compressed air and therefore lower the dewpoint of the compressed air. In a new system, the cooling is quite efficient and dewpoints of as low as 35F (2C) can be achieved with a refrigerated dryer. Over time, the cooling coils lose their efficiency due to pipe scale, oil and water build up on the cooling coils. It is not uncommon to test dewpoints after a refrigerated dryer and find them >60F (16C). The indicators on the front of refrigerated dryers do not indicate the dewpoint but rather the temperature of the coils. Therefore, Balston recommends that you install a a coarse coalescing filter (grade DX) - immediately upstream of the dryer. To prevent carryover of condensate from the dryer or carryover of any pre-existing oils for a used dryer, a final fine coalescing filter (grade BX) is recommended.

If you would like more information about Parker Balston please contact Forberg Scientific Customer Service.
Toll Free: 855-288-5330
Email: mechanicalsales@forberg.com

Why a compressor room needs to stay cool!

Author: David J. Connaughton
Blog: Compressed Air the Fourth Utility

Compressors are often put into small rooms to reduce noise. Unfortunately, putting a compressor inside a small room creates problems. One of these problems is heat. Compressors create a lot of heat from the compression of the air. This heat is usually expelled into the room via a fan cooled aftercooler. It’s not unusual to find temperatures well above 100F (38C) regardless of the temperature outside.

About 20 years ago I was using a computer to collect data on an experiment that I was conducting inside a compressor room. I was having trouble with my computer. It seemed to freeze in the middle of my experiment and not collect the data through the full experimental run. I took it out of the compressor room, back up to my lab to trouble shoot. No matter what I did, I could not duplicate the error in my lab. I even brought the computer to the local repair shop and they could not duplicate the error either. So I brought the computer back to the compressor room and started collecting data again. But again, the computer froze up. What was going on? It turned out that the temperature inside the compressor room was so hot that the electronics inside the computer we affected. My solution was to place the computer outside the room and run lines through the wall to the experiment. Problem solved.

Heat in the compressor room has a direct effect on the quality of the compressed air in your air system. The hot room attracts moisture from the surrounding environment since hot air holds more moisture than cold air. The room acts like a sponge soaking up all the moisture surrounding the room. This moisture finds its way into the compressed air lines creating condensation and contamination. High temperatures also create finer mists of any oil carryover. Finer mists and aerosols are stable at high temperatures and have the ability therefore to bypass filtration in the compressor room and contaminate the piping system downstream.

To minimize the effects of heat inside a compressor room, you’ve got to cool it down. Fresh air circulation is key. In the summer time, air should be expelled from the room and draw in air from outside. In the winter-time, the hot air created by the compressor can be blown into the workplace for supplemental heating. Don’t just put your compressor in a room and forget about it. If you keep it maintained and keep it ventilated your whole system will perform better.

Parker Balston Filters and dryers do a great job of cleaning up the compressed air at the point of use.
If you are need more information you can contact Forberg Scientific Inc. Customer Service.
Phone: 248-288-5330
Email: mechanicalsales@forberg.com

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What do I need to know to filter air used in a ISO class clean room?

Author: David J. Connaughton
Blog: Compressed Air the Fourth Utility

A reader emailed me with an interesting situation that probably happens all the time. He has pneumatics inside a clean room but his "building" compressed air is neither dry nor clean. This poses a tricky situation as any sir that feeds this pneumatics must be clean enough to no contaminate the clean room. Also, these filters must no have automatic drains which could unexpectedly dump contaminant into the room. I recommended that he mount a dryer just outside the room. Our Parker Balston Membrane Air Dryers are a good choice as they don't use any electricity and are easy to install and maintain. The dryer assures that there will be no further condensation inside the clean room that would need to be drained fro the filters. Inside the clean room the filters must have manual drains and be of fairly high efficiency, at least 99.99% at 0.01 micron or higher.

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How to Select and Order Parker Balston Coalescing Compressed Air Filter Cartridges

A. Overview: Parker Balston Coalescing Compressed Air Filters protect your equipment and delicate instruments from the dirt, water, and oil usually found in compressed air. Parker Balston Coalescing Filters remove these contaminants at a very high efficiency -up to 99.99% of 0.01 micron particles and droplets. Liquid releases from the filter cartridge to an automatic drain as rapidly as it enters the filter. This allows a Parker Balston Coalescing Filter to continue to remove liquids for an unlimited time without loss of efficiency or flow capacity.

B. Parker Balston Filter Cartridges: Balston provides two grades of coalescing filter cartridges, Parker Balston Grade DX and Grade BX. Singly or in tandem, these filters satisfy all requirements for removing liquid and solid contaminants from compressed air. Balston also has an activated carbon adsorbent CI-type cartridge for the removal of trace oil vapors from a compressed air line.

C. Selecting the proper filter cartridge
1. Decide which grade(s) of filter cartridges fit the application

a- For general purpose applications such as plant compressed air, single stage filtration is often sufficient. Use a Parker Balston Grade DX filter cartridge.

b- For instrument air and other critical air requirements, two stage filtration is necessary. Use Parker Balston Grade DX followed by a Parker Balston Grade BX filter cartridge. As a general rule, a Parker Balston Grade BX Filter cartridge should not be used alone.

c- For removal of trace compressor oil vapor, three stage filtration is necessary. Use a Parker Balston Grade DX followed by a Parker Balston Grade BX and a Parker Balston type CI cartridge.

2. Retention Efficiency for 0.01 Micron Particles and Droplets

a- Parker Balston Grade DX Filter - 93% Efficiency

b- Parker Balsotn Grade BX Filter - 99.99% Efficiency

Balston Coalescing Compressed Air Filters Data Sheet






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