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

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

Tweet

How does proper filtration and drying lower your plant's operating costs?

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

In almost all applications throughout your plant, clean, dry compressed air will result in lower operating costs. How is that? Oil, dirt and water in the compressed air coats the inside of pipes. This coating creates a source of pressure drop and the loss of pressure is the loss of energy. Water is particularly problematic as it can create corrosion that can be picked up by the air stream and will damage sensitive equipment downstream. In cold environments, this water will turn into ice and could even plug the lines. Filtration and air drying are an effective and cost efficient way to improve the efficiency of your plant air system.

Tweet

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.

Tweet