Each month, CleanRooms brings you a collection of the latest product innovations in the contamination control industry
06/01/2006
Vacuum pump traps
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MV Products has introduced a line of vacuum traps that absorb toxic mercury vapors in laboratory and manufacturing applications. MV Posi-Trap® Vacuum Traps are constructed from stainless steel and feature Redisorb® filters with a treated activated carbon media that absorbs mercury vapors. Providing a positive seal that prevents blow-by, these traps can be used at the pump inlet to protect the vacuum pump and/or can be installed at the discharge to protect people and the environment. Suitable for applications from 25 to 800 CFM, depending upon the system configuration, these vacuum traps are available in four sizes: 4-inch diameter (houses one filter), 8-inch diameter (for four filters) and 10-inch diameter (for ten filter elements). Equipped with quick-release clamps, they can be opened in-line to change the filter elements and come in straight-through and right-angle designs.
MV Products, a division of Mass-Vac, Inc.
N. Billerica, Mass.
www.massvac.com
Stainless-steel, flush-mount enclosures
Hoffman has introduced PharmaProTM, a new standard series of stainless-steel Type 4X flush-mount enclosures. The new models feature a low RA (roughness average) value finish that minimizes surface crevices, allowing a more thorough wipe-down. Designed for wall mounting, these enclosures also minimize exposed surfaces where dust, bacteria and other contaminants can accumulate. Constructed of 304 and 316 stainless steel, these enclosures are suitable for stud and block wall installation and are held securely by a patent-pending in-wall mounting system. Twenty-two screw or hinged cover models are available.
Hoffman
Anoka, Minn.
www.hoffmanonline.com
Standards bottle rack
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Bel-Art Products, Inc. has introduced Scienceware® Standards Bottle Rack for keeping USP reference standards organized. Individual wells separate each bottle for safer transporting and storage and clear supports make viewing easier. Each compact rack holds up to 30 USP Standards Bottles with the common 23 mm diameter. The racks are constructed of acrylic for easy cleaning and light weight and are sized to fit into desiccator cabinets such as the Bel-Art Products Secador® Desiccators for protection of moisture-sensitive standards.
Bel-Art Products, Inc.
Pequannock, N.J.
www.belart.com
Ultrapure water system
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Millipore has announced the availability of the new Milli-Q Advantage system to meet the ultrapure water needs of most users and their specific applications. The main benefit is the convenience of a single system. The water quality adapts to the requirements of users in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, cosmetic, clinical, environmental, food and beverage, and government laboratories. The production unit converts pure water to ultrapure water. Rather than purchasing separate production units, several final point-of-use polishers are available to match the required application. The production units can be placed on the bench, under the bench or on a wall. The movable Q-PODTM unit provides the final purification step closest to the water dispensing point and adjusts to any glassware height and shape. Up to three Q-POD dispensers can be used per system at different locations within 10 feet of the production unit. Flow rates vary from drop-by-drop to 2 L/min. Users can dispense the water manually or set a predefined volume. System information is displayed graphically on the Q-POD base and in eight languages on the production unit. Additionally, the system utilizes eSureTM Technology to identify the installed consumables and record their usage for promoting timely maintenance.
Millipore Corporation
Billerica, Mass.
www.millipore.com/bioscience
CO2 cleaning equipment
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The MobileCleanTM from PurCO2 brings CO2 snow cleaning onto the automated production floor. Contaminated grippers and toolblocks can be cleaned without disassembly or realignment. Polished mold surfaces can be cleansed without danger of scratches or damage. The company’s unique process provides a variable coaxial jet of dry-ice crystals and a heated, filtered propellant that takes off mold release, lubricants and particles. The Refill StationTM automatically purifies liquid CO2 and refills the internal cylinder. In addition, MobileClean parks inside to maximize floorspace utilization.
PurCO2, a division of Cool Clean Technologies
Valencia, Calif.
www.purco2.com
Water-based condensation particle counter
The new Model 3781 Water-based Condensation Particle Counter (WCPC) from TSI Particle Instruments is an ideal choice for monitoring temporal and spatial variations of various indoor and outdoor environments with multiple units. This small, lightweight, and low-cost-per-point WCPC detects particles down to 6 nm and covers a wide concentration range, up to 5×10E5 particles/cc in single-count mode. It is well-suited for a variety of applications, including indoor air-quality measurements, environmental monitoring, atmospheric and climate-change studies, and mobile aerosol studies.
TSI Particle Instruments
Shoreview, Minn.
http://particle.tsi.com
Gasketed ceiling system
Chicago Metallic introduces BarrierGridTM Exposed Gasketed Ceiling Systems for clean process areas. Designed for use in ISO 14644-1 controlled environment facilities, this system is ideal for clean manufacturing, healthcare, food processing, precision instrument assembly rooms, semiconductor and aerospace applications. The system’s factory-installed precision gaskets are secured on the grid flanges to eliminate voids at panel modules. The gasket, a closed-cell foam, effectively restricts air movement between plenums and clean process work areas. BarrierGrid comes in heavy duty (ASTM C-635 rated) standard 15/16-inch and 1 3/8-inch faced, hot-dipped galvanized-steel grid. The aluminum-capped grid system features all-aluminum wall angles and channels at perimeter conditions for tight closures. The wall angle and channels are double-gasketed to seal to the ceiling panels at the perimeter and to the wall, minimizing the need to caulk the wall and angle after the ceiling is installed. Butt-cut cross tees engage at main tees for a tighter seal and streamlined look. Stab-style cross tees are standard, and demountable hook cross tees are available on the 15/16-inch grid system, allowing for large areas of ceiling to be opened easily.
Chicago Metallic
Chicago, Ohio
www.chicagometallic.com
Stainless-steel countertops
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Eagle introduces new stainless-steel countertops that provide users with long-term value and customizable functionality in their work areas. Both standard and custom countertops are offered to meet the needs of users in healthcare establishments, cleanroom operations, laboratories and other operations where sanitation or chemical resistance is important. These countertops are made of high-performance, 16-gauge, type 304 stainless steel, and are constructed under rigorous sanitation standards. They possess excellent stain-resistant properties, along with resistance to a wide range of chemicals and corrosives. The strong construction of these countertops means that they exceed most load capacities. Plus, they’re ideal for use with fume hoods. Standard countertop models are offered in a width of 30 inches, and in lengths ranging from 35 inches to 144 inches. All countertops are die-formed on the company’s state-of-the-art metalworking equipment, and feature either square or boxed-marine front edges. Backsplashes are available with turndown and z-clips. Customers may also order units with optional endsplashes and cut-outs. Additional customizing is offered through Eagle’s SpecFAB® Division.
Eagle Group
Clayton, Del.
www.eaglegrp.com
Conveyor system for cleanroom applications
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MagStar Technologies has introduced a new Quickdraw® Conveyor System designed for use in cleanroom environments. The low-profile rail offers greater flexibility in a 50 percent smaller footprint than other conveyor systems, making it ideal for laboratory environments. The conveyor has a height of 2 7/8 inches and is only 1 1/2 inches wider than the transport tray. Along with its compact size, the conveyor features its patented design with Quickdraw’s Zone Buffering® and Intellizone® technology. Integrated sensors provide users with unprecedented conveyor control within specific conveyor zones. The flexible design allows for variable speed, bidirectional transport, changeable layouts, and precision stopping for tight tolerance processing. The control system is self-contained with plug-and-go operation so no PLC is needed for set-up or operation. Sensor, logic, and motor controls are built into the rail for convenient access.
MagStar Technologies
Hopkins, Minn.
www.magstar.com
Hardwall modular cleanrooms
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Clean Air Products introduces Series 582 Vertical Flow Hardwall Modular Cleanrooms. These prefabricated, easy-to-assemble cleanrooms are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, materials of construction and classifications to suit nearly any cleanroom application need. These cleanrooms comply with Class 100,000 to Class 10 [ISO Class 8 to Class 4] operating conditions. Room shape is not limited to squares and rectangles but can include jogs or steps in the walls to adjust to building supports or other obstacles in the available space. These modular units are available in unlimited lengths, widths to 34 feet and heights up to 15 feet. Options include motorized ceiling HEPA filters and ducted filter modules, and air conditioning for cooling and humidity control. Modular wall panels fasten together to form a shell and a NEST-TIGHT grid system attaches to the shell to create the internal cleanroom ceiling. The ceiling grid features unique interconnecting tee bars that provide strength to support filters, light fixtures and panels that comprise the cleanroom ceiling. The Series 582 uses a HEPA-N-SEAL negative pressure safety seal to ensure that air will not leak through the ceiling grid into the cleanroom. Cleanroom components are light enough to easily lift and assemble using internally mounted rotary clamps and fasteners. Parts are interchangeable and easy to maneuver into place.
Clean Air Products
Minneapolis, Minn.
www.cleanairproducts.com
Label printing solutions for cleanrooms
LGInternational has launched a line of label printers and on-demand label printing solutions certified for cleanroom usage. Label printing solutions feature: quick and easy printing of barcodes, text, numbers, and graphic images; powerful printing performance-up to 6 inches per second; a wide variety of media sizes and types; a wide range of supported barcode types, including linear and 2D; thermal transfer and direct thermal printing; and easy-to-use barcode software. For cleanrooms in markets such as semiconductor and storage media, the company has applied its CleanMark® particulate removal process to offer CleanMark-certified printers for cleanrooms.
LGInternational
Portland, Ore.
www.lgintl.com
Cleaning brushes
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Qosina is pleased to present an assortment of instrument cleaning brushes ideal for providing access in hard-to-reach areas. With a variety of different brush diameters and handle lengths, these brushes are well suited for cleaning projects in any industry. The nylon brushes and twisted stainless-steel wire handles meet hygienic requirements, are industrial quality, and are inexpensive enough to be disposable.
Qosina
Edgewood, N.Y.
www.qosina.com
UVC kit for PTAC systems
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Steril-Aire’s new Packaged Terminal Air Conditioning (PTAC) UVC Kit provides energy savings, mold and IAQ control, and reduced maintenance. Each kit contains one UVC Emitter and power supply, plus all necessary hardware components to retrofit a PTAC coil or other room unit with UVC. Designed for fast and easy snap-in installation, the space-saving kit uses a 24 Emitter tube that fits all types of PTAC coils. Installed opposite the coil, the high-output UVC energy provides continuous, non-chemical coil cleaning-improving airflow, temperature and humidity control to save energy. It also stops mold and bacteria, as well as viruses and other airborne microorganisms, enhancing IAQ and preventing the spread of infectious diseases. This is the latest in a series of retrofit kits designed to improve the performance of unitized AC systems and deliver better air to the spaces that they serve.
Steril-Aire, Inc.
Burbank, Calif.
www.steril-aire.com
Filling line for presterilized syringes
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Bosch Pharma Liquid offers its new, complete syringe filling systems for presterilized syringes: the FXS 2020 and the new high-volume FXS 5100. The FXS 5100 offers extremely high output (500 syringes per minute), a compact footprint (2.5 meters x 1 meter) and an ergonomic, easy-to-clean design. Additionally, both of these systems feature a Bosch transport system that allows for a continuous filling and closing process with no stops and starts. The smooth, quiet operation of this drive system makes the entire system more reliable, accurate, efficient, and economic. In addition to the advantages of these two machines, the company has combined several products to create one integrated solution for presterilized syringes. This system can integrate the Advance BEAM outside tub sterilization system, the FXS 5100 filling and closing machine, and finally a barrier isolator. This fully integrated system provides a single source for these critical line components, reducing user risks and production time while dramatically improving overall quality.
Bosch Pharma Liquid
Crailsheim, Germany
www.bosch.com
Sterile connections
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Colder Products Company has introduced the Steam-Thru® II, which provides a sterile connection between disposable systems and existing stainless-steel processing equipment. This latest addition to the company’s line of sterile Steam-Thru Connections incorporates a repositionable valve that extends steam-in-place capability to two cycles. The flexibility of ‘steam on’ and ‘steam off’ functionality minimizes contamination concerns and increases operational efficiency. This product features a patented 3-port design that allows it to be mounted directly to hard-plumbed systems to create a sterile connection for single-use feeding, harvesting and sampling systems. These connections increase operational efficiency by decreasing process downtime and costs related to cleaning and cleaning validation associated with reusable components.
Colder Products Company
St. Paul, Minn.
www.colder.com
Expanded line of sanitary connections
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Colder Products Company has expanded its popular line of SaniQuikTM Connections. The versatile connection is now offered in two new sanitary termination sizes to provide added flexibility for processors that need to link disposables and existing stainless-steel equipment. Now 1/4” and 3/8” tubing systems utilizing the company’s MPC couplings can be easily connected to 1 1/2” sanitary terminations, and 1/2” tubing systems with MPX couplings can be connected to 3/4” sanitary terminations. Ideal for use in feeding, cell harvesting, and sampling applications, the integral sanitary terminations attach to hard-plumbed systems via the use of tri-clover clamps. SaniQuik reduces sanitary gasket replacement and allows metal sanitary fittings to be replaced by plastic disposable couplings. The result is a more economical media transfer solution.
Colder Products Company
St. Paul, Minn.
www.colder.com
Sterility assurance products
STERIS has introduced its SteraffirmTM line of sterility assurance products. First, Class 6 emulating indicators are cycle verification indicators that confirm the presence or absence of specific time and temperature parameters during a cycle, and integrate all the critical parameters of the steam sterilization cycle (temperature, saturated steam and exposure time). The indicators can be placed inside each pack or pouch during sterilization of supplies or equipment in a validated prevacuum cycle. They are lead free and nontoxic, and they conform to EN 867-1 Class D and ISO 11140-1:1995 (Class 6) standards. Next, the Steraffirm Bowie Dick Test packs are preassembled single-use test packs designed to evaluate the performance of the air removal system of a prevacuum-equipped sterilizer. Several versions of these test packs are available. They are calibrated to be compatible with prevacuum cycles operating at specific exposure temperatures or within a specified exposure temperature range. The test packs conform to the EN 867-4: 2001 (Class B) or ANSI/AAMI ST66 standards. Lastly, the Steraffirm Sterilizer Control Tube consists of a 45 mm x 5 mm borosilicate glass tube sealed at both ends. One end is color-coded to facilitate identification of the unboxed indicator. The tube contains approximately 200 μL of heat-sensitive liquid that changes color from red to green at various times and temperatures, which are integrated by the device. The control tubes are calibrated to respond to specific temperature and time parameters during a dry or moist heat-sterilization cycle. They have a permanent color change when the proper parameters are achieved at the location of each control tube. A color guide in the instruction provides an instant visual check of the results.
STERIS Corporation
Mentor, Ohio
www.steris.com
Larger-diameter column for chromatography
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Millipore Corporation has introduced the new QuikScale 630 mm column, which offers a larger modular approach to chromatography. The columns are designed to achieve ultrahigh throughput and accommodate all media types. The streamlined design of the columns eliminates the need for tools and hoists during packing and unpacking and the optional removable lower end-cell makes packing faster and easier. With the introduction of the 630 mm size, the QuikScale columns expand their processing capabilities and continue to provide consistent high performance under varying process conditions associated with scaling up the purification of new drug entities.
Millipore Corporation
Billerica, Mass.
www.millipore.com
Filtration system and filter test instrument
Millipore has recently introduced two new products. The Pod Process Scale System for large-scale clarification/prefiltration is a patented filtration system that’s flexible in size and configuration, and is easy to install, maintain and validate. The Integritest® 4 Filter Integrity Test Instrument-with an intuitive graphical user interface and customizable touch-screen menus and tool bars-brings speed and ease-of-use to integrity testing.
Millipore Corporation
Billerica, Mass.
www.millipore.com
New Literature
Air filtration handbook
The Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST) has revised the Handbook on Air Filtration. This handbook covers a broad range of applications for users who require removal of airborne-particulate contamination for maximum air cleanliness. Included in the handbook are three updated IEST recommended practices: IEST-RP-CC001.4, HEPA and ULPA Filters; IEST-RP-CC021.2, Testing HEPA and ULPA Filter Media; and IEST-RP-CC034.2, HEPA and ULPA Filter Leak Tests. A total of seven IEST recommended practices related to air filtration in cleanrooms and other controlled environments are a part of the handbook.
IEST
Rolling Meadows, Ill.
www.iest.org
2006 FM approval guide
Product-testing and certification organization FM Approvals has just released its comprehensive 2006 Approval Guide on CD-ROM. The guide is especially useful for architects, consulting engineers, plant managers, contractors, and product buyers looking to select the right equipment and materials to address property threats and protect their facilities. The guide provides the most up-to-date, detailed engineering data and technical information on the application and use of more than 45,000 FM-approved fire-protection products, building materials, electrical equipment, and services. The CD-ROM also contains more than 140 approval standards documents, indicating the rigorous testing criteria products must meet to become FM-approved.
FM Global
Johnston, R.I.
www.fmapprovals.com
Particle instruments catalog
The TSI Particle Technology catalog from TSI, Inc. has been updated and expanded. This guide, used by scientists involved in a variety of particle research, offers a concise, convenient reference to TSI’s complete line of particle instruments. The new version features TSI’s newest particle sizers, condensation particle counters, automated filter testers, exposure monitors, and more. Customers can order as many as three printed copies using an online form available at: www.tsi.com/pages/particle/catalog.aspx.
TSI, Inc.
Shoreview, MN
www.tsi.com