Sartorius Stedim Biotech MD8 airscan User manual

85030-511-25
Operating Instructions
Air Sampler
MD8 airscan
Ver. 05|2011

Read these operating instructions carefully
before switching the instrument on!
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Contents
1 Introduction 5
2 Safety precautions 6
3 EEC - Declaration of Conformity 7
4 Unpacking and checking
the equipment supplied: 8
5 Specifications 9
5.1 Specifications of the MD8 airscan 9
5.2 Specifications of Gelatin
Filter Units 10
5.2.1 Specifications of the gelatin filters 10
6 Description of the MD8 airscan 11
7 User interface - Description
of the keypad 19
7.1 Switching the air sampler on 20
7.2 Checking and changing the
parameters for the sampling
procedure 22
7.3 Starting and ending an
air sampling procedure 25
7.4 Display functions during
air sampling 26
7.5 Error messages during air
sampling 28
7.6 Changing the language
(English or German) 28
8 Calibration of the MD8 airscan 29
8.1 Calibration procedure 30
8.2 Resetting of default values 31
8.3 Service menu 31
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9 How to use Gelatin Filter Units
for air sampling 32
9.1 How to fit a filter unit
to the adapter 32
9.2 How to remove a filter unit
with the adapter 35
9.3 How to remove a filter unit
without the adapter 39
9.4 Incubation and evaluation
of collected microorganisms 39
9.5 Dissolving the gelatin filter
prior to evaluation of collected
microorganisms 42
9.6 Dissolving the gelatin filter after
collecting viruses and phages 42
10 How to use 80 mm gelatin
filters in the aluminium filter
holder and the filter stack 43
10.1 Preparation and sterilization
of the filter holder 43
10.2 Placing gelatin filters in
the filter holder 45
10.3 Removing gelatin filters from
the filter holder after sampling 46
10.4 Using the aluminium filter stack 47
11 Accessories and consumables 51
11.1 Accessories for MD8 airscan 51
11.2 Consumables 55
12 Guarantee 56

Dear new user
Congratulations on your choice of the MD8 airscan for your microbiological air sampling!
This latest model in a series of practice-proven air samplers is manufactured for quality
by high standard German electrical and precision engineering.
We are sure that it will provide you with trouble-free service for many years.
Please do not hesitate to contact us, should you need further information or assistance
on installation or on your specific applications.
Göttingen, 2002
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1. Introduction
The MD8 airscan is an air sampler which works according to the filtration principle. It draws
a defined volume of air through a gelatin filter or equivalent. The microorganisms and viruses
contained in the sampled air are retained by the filter, where they are available for processing
by microbiological or virological methods.
When the microorganism content of the sampled air is to be quantitatively determined, the
usual method is to subsequently plate the filter directly on an appropriate culture medium,
incubate and count the resulting number of colony forming units (cfu). This number is related
to the volume sampled to give cfu/m3.
When the virus concentration is to be determined, the gelatin filter must be dissolved after
sampling, so that retained viruses can be cultivated in the solution and analysed by virological
or molecular biological methods. Detailed procedural information is given in the application
notes “Collecting Airborne Viruses and Phages Using the Gelatin Membrane Filter Method”
and “A method for detecting and enumerating airborne virulent bacteriophage of dairy starter
cultures” (publication numbers SLF-4028-e and SM-4021e respectively) as well as in further
publications on this topic.
Further information on request.
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2. Safety precautions
1. The MD 8 airscan is a modern air sampling instrument for the collection of airborne
microorganisms or viruses. It is only intended for use with 80 mm diameter membrane filter
discs of pore size 0.8 μm or larger. Use of smaller diameter or smaller pore size filters will
result in damage to the pump.
2. Use for other than the intended purpose, or improper operation, frees the manufacturer
from all liability.
3. Only start the instrument when a holder which contains an appropriate membrane filter
is attached to the air inlet.
4. Before starting the system, check that the electrical supply is appropriate to that imprinted
on the identification label attached to the base of the sampler.
5. Ensure that the air outlet exhaust is completely free and not covered in any way. Do not
attach a filter to it without first discussing this with the manufacturer and obtaining approval.
6. Do not open up or make changes to the instrument. Damage resulting from such ingress
or changes are not covered by the guarantee given by the manufacturer.
7. The service menu should only be accessed by authorized service staff. No one other than
authorized service staff should make changes to the service program. Such changes could
result in invalidation of the Validation Certificate supplied with the instrument.
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3. EEC – Declaration of Conformity
We hereby declare that the 230 V version of the MD8 airscan (order number 16746)
conforms, in its design and construction, to the requirements of the following standards:
EN 50081-1
EN 55011 Cl. B
EN 50082-2
EN 61000-4-2, -3, -4, -6
EN 50204
Status: February 1997
This declaration becomes invalid, when changes which have not been authorized by us
are made to the instrument.
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4. Unpacking and checking the equipment supplied:
Sartorius Stedim Biotech products are very carefully packed, but despite this, damage
could possibly occur during transport, so please check the equipment supplied for such
damage while unpacking it. Check the equipment supplied against the following list, to
ensure that everything has been correctly delivered and that nothing is left in the
packaging:
–1+MD 8 airscan air sampling instrument (check the voltage)
–1+ Filter holder for 80 mm membrane filters
–1+ Line cord (country specific)
–1+ Instructions for use (German/English)
–1+ Calibration certificate
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5. Specifications
5.1. Specifications of the MD8 airscan
Order numbers: 16746 230 V/50 Hz version
16747 115 V/60 Hz version
Each version can be switched from 50 to 60 Hz and back
Air throughput: Can be set between 2.0 m3/h to 8.0 m3/h,
in steps of 0.1 m3/h
Max. deviation of air throughput: ±5% within the temperature range 15°C to 35°C
Air throughput settings in 2.0 m3/h = 33.33 l/min
m3/h and l/min: 2.5 m3/h = 41.67 l/min
3.0 m3/h = 50.00 l/min
3.5 m3/h = 58.33 l/min
4.0 m3/h = 66.67 l/min
4.5 m3/h = 75.00 l/min
5.0 m3/h = 83.33 l/min
5.5 m3/h = 91.67 l/min
6.0 m3/h = 100.00 l/min
6.5 m3/h = 108.33 l/min
7.0 m3/h = 116.67 l/min
7.5 m3/h = 125.00 l/min
8.0 m3/h = 133.33 l/min
Correction of the air When the entered air throughput cannot be attained,
throughput setting: the display shows the maximum attainable throughput.
A new setting, which is below this value, must then
be entered.
Power: 700 W
Safety fuses: 6.3 Amp. 115 V
3.15 Amp. 230 V
Noise level: Max. 62 dB(A) with gelatin filters,
Max. 70 dB(A) with 0.8 μm pore size membrane filters
Weight: Approx. 6.5 kg
Dimensions of air sampler: 375 +242 +228 mm (L +W +H).
Length with filter holder attached: 407 mm
Air inlet connector: Bayonet-type quick connect
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5.2. Specifications of Gelatin Filter Units
Filter holder: For 80 mm diameter membrane filters
Filtration area: 38.5 cm2
Material: Cyrolite (recyclable plastic)
Max. temperature: 85°C
Dimensions: 93 x16 mm
5.2.1 Specifications of the Gelatin Filters
Material: Gelatin
Nominal pore size: 3 μm
Filter diameter: 80 mm
Behaviour with water: Soluble
Residual moisture: Approx. 46–49%
Thickness: Approx. 250 μm
Air flow rate per cm2: 2.2–3.2 l/min at Δp = 0.05 bar
Temperature limit: 60°C
Limiting operating Max. 30°C ambient temperature,
conditions: max. 85% relative humidity
Sterilization method: Gamma irradiation
Retention of bacteria: 99.9995% for Bac. subtilis niger at 0.25 m/s inlet velocity
Retention of viruses: 99.9% for phage T1 (coli phage) at 50% relative humidity and
an inlet velocity of 0.3 m/s.
99.94% for phage T1 (coli phage) at 80% relative humidity and
an inlet velocity of 0.3 m/s.
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6. Description of the MD8 airscan
The air inlet opening for attachment of a filter holder projects out of the plastic housing
(Fig.1) at the front of the MD8 airscan.
Fig.1
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The air outlet connector (exhaust) is at the rear (Fig. 2), together with the combination of
power plug socket and green on/off switch. The two fuses (3.15 AT for 230 V and 6.3 AT
for 115 V) are also situated in this switch. An optional remote control interface is on the
left of the on/off switch.
Fig. 2
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The operating elements are on the top of the instrument (Fig. 3), with the LCD on the left
of the carrying handle and the membrane-covered keypad on the right.
The use of these is described in section 7.
Fig. 3
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The filter holder supplied, or an adapter for gelatin filter units, can be screwed directly
onto the air inlet connector of the sampler (Fig. 4).
Fig. 4
The filter holder or the gelatin filter unit adapter can be held at a distance from the air
sampler and positioned as required (e.g. for sampling in isolators or clean rooms, and for
isokinetic sampling) by the use of accessories, including a length of flexible hose (17085 or
17662) and a set of connectors (17657). Other accessories, such as adapters (17016 or 17030),
clamps for sanitary flanges (17033) and filter capsules (5181307T9-SS), may be required for
installing the filter unit in isolators or clean rooms.
A holding system consisting of a stand (16970), clamp holder (16976) and clamp (17037) are
recommended for an adjustable positioning of the filter holder, e.g. in clean rooms where it is
not installed in a fixed position. See also the foto on the front cover and the accessories listed
in section 11.
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Connnecting the hose to the MD8 airscan:
Press the connecting piece 17658 (hose/MD8 airscan) against the sampled air inlet of the
MD8 airscan and turn it clockwise (Fig. 5).
Fig. 5
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Fit one end of the hose (e.g., 17085) onto the hose barb of the connecting piece 17658,
and the other end onto the second connecting piece (17659) of the connecting set 17657
(Fig. 6).
Fig. 6
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Connect the adapter for gelatin filter units (17801, Fig. 7), or the filter holder (17655)
containing a gelatin membrane filter, onto the second connecting piece (17659) by turning
it clockwise.
Fig. 7
Use the clamp 17037 and clamp holder 16976 to fix the connector on the stand 16970.
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Fix a gelatin filter unit to the adapter.
Fig. 8
In principle, sampling can now be started.
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7. User interface – Description of the keypad
Aside from the power on/off switch, the MD8 airscan is operated entirely using the
membrane-covered keypad that has 6 keys and is located on top of the unit. Interactive
prompts and messages are shown on an LCD with 2 +16 characters (Fig. 9).
The keys of the keypad have the following functions:
⇒: Selects parameters to be displayed so that values can be checked and changed.
Enter: Stores a change made to the parameter value on display.
⇑: Increases the parameter value on display.
⇓: Decreases the parameter value on display.
Start: Starts an air sampling procedure.
Stop: Interrupts an air sampling procedure.
Fig. 9
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7.1. Switching the air sampler on
The power switch located on the rear panel of the MD8 airscan is used to switch it on.
The switch lights up green when power is on and the instrument runs a self-test during which
the memory chips of the system are checked. During this test, the message “sartorius MD8
selftesting” is displayed (flow chart 1).
Upon successful completion of the selftest, the message “sartorius MD8 ready to start”
is displayed and an air sampling procedure can be started.
If the instrument fails the selftest, an appropriate error message will be displayed. Refer to
Section 7.5 for a list of possible error messages.
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