Fully automated pure steam condensate sampling system

In order to monitor pure steam quality in sterile plant in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage industries samples are regularly taken from the steam ring mains and their contamination analysed in a laboratory. For this purpose various systems have been used to date where sampling takes place manually or semi-automatically. The operator of the plant or the lab technician usually has to monitor the entire sample extraction procedure. As well as potential contamination of the sample taken, with some systems there is a Health & Safety issue concerning the increased risk of scalding. GEMÜ has developed a completely new automatic system for sterile sampling of pure steam condensate. This totally isolates the condensate sample and reduces the operator involvement and potential injury.

The complete system consists of a sampling multi-port valve with pneumatic actuators, a stainless steel sampling bottle as well as a compact control unit, either mounted ready-to-connect on a movable stand or as a static version.
After starting the programme the parameterized control process runs fully automatically. As a first step the entire system is sterilized. Then the sampling process starts automatically until the set condensate quantity is reached. The system switches off automatically after the end of the programme. The  advantage of this new system is its significantly reduced sampling time for a completely closed, faultless sample extraction. The system is compact and mobile and can also be connected to other sampling points in the ring main at any time.

Parameters such as sterilization time and condensate volume can be individually set via the control system. Once the parameters have been set they are saved and enable the reproducibility of the process. The risk of scalding for the operating staff is reduced. The system can be easily connected to a supply line via a clamp connection. The sampling vessel is connected to the multi-port valve via a sterile quick coupling. Only power (230 V 50/60 Hz) and
compressed air (max. 10 bar) are required to supply the system. On request the device can also be used for sampling for example WFI or AP water.