Compressed Air Monitoring Challenge

Compressed Air 

Compressed air refers to the air that is compressed and stored in a container or tank under pressure. It is used in a wide range of industrial applications, such as powering pneumatic tools and machinery, providing control and actuation for automation systems, and even in medical equipment. Compressed air is often preferred over other power sources because it is clean, safe, and easy to use. However, it is important to handle compressed air with care, as it can be dangerous if not used properly. Regular maintenance and inspection of compressed air systems are essential to ensure safe and efficient operation.

Compressed Air Monitoring System:

Compressed air monitoring involves the measurement and analysis of various parameters related to the quality and quantity of compressed air used in industrial and manufacturing processes. Some of the key parameters that are typically monitored include:

1. Pressure: The pressure of compressed air is a critical parameter that needs to be monitored to ensure that it is within the acceptable range for the equipment and processes that use it.

2. Temperature: The temperature of compressed air can impact its quality and performance, and monitoring it can help identify potential issues such as overheating.

3. Flow rate: It is important to monitor the flow rate of compressed air to ensure that it is sufficient for the equipment and processes that use it.

4. Moisture content: Compressed air can contain moisture, which can lead to corrosion, contamination, and other issues. Monitoring the moisture content can help prevent these problems.

5. Oil content: Compressed air can also contain oil, which can be harmful to equipment and processes. Monitoring the oil content can help prevent damage and downtime.

6. Particulate matter: Compressed air can contain particulate matter, which can clog filters and damage equipment. Monitoring the particulate matter can help prevent these issues. By monitoring these parameters, compressed air monitoring systems can help ensure the quality and reliability of compressed air, reduce energy consumption, and prevent equipment damage and downtime.

Definition

Air compressors work by forcing atmospheric air under pressure to create potential energy that can be stored in a tank for later use. Just like an open balloon, the pressure builds up when the compressed air is deliberately released, converting the potential energy into usable kinetic energy.

Sampling & Analysis of Compressed Air

OBJECTIVE:

To provide a guideline for the Best Practices to be followed in a Microbiology Lab

SCOPE:

The procedure is applicable to all personnel working in Microbiology Lab.

RESPONSIBILITY:

• Microbiologists/Personnel Working in Microbiology Lab
• To follow the procedure while performing the Microbiological activities.
• To train the new employees during on job training

ACCOUNTABILITY :

• Head-Microbiology
  • • To ensure compliance to the procedures
    • To ensure all the personnel are trained and adhere to the procedures

PROCEDURE: 

Material Required:

• Sample for sterility test
• Sterile 0.45µm membrane filters (47 mm diameter)
• Sterile normal saline (0.9% NaCl)
• Sterile Fluid Thioglycollate Medium (4×100 mL)
• Sterile Soya bean Casein Digest Medium (4×100 mL)
• Sterile Peptone water (0.1% Fluid A) (5×100 mL)
• 2µ filtered 70% v/v Isopropyl Alcohol
• Sterile filtration assembly
• Filtered Collection flask
• Sterile Conical flask
• Vacuum pump
• Silicon tube
• Laminar Air Flow
• Contact plates
• Sterile gloves
• Safety goggles
• Sterile gowns
• Sterile forceps
• Sterile scissors
• Sterile Soya bean Casein Digest Agar plates

Sampling & Testing Procedure of  Compressed air for Sterility:

• Clean the air sampling apparatus as per respective SOP.
• Fill 100 mL 0.9% Normal Saline in sampling apparatus, wrap the apparatus, glassware and other accessories required for testing of compressed air and sterilize by autoclaving at 121.5 °C and 15 psi as per validated procedure.
• Prepare FTGM and SCDM media as per respective SOP. Dispense the media in 100 mL test tubes.
• Sterilize the tubes containing 100 mL media by autoclaving at 121.5 ^°C and 15 psi pressure as per validated procedure.
• After autoclaving, allow the material to cool at room temperature and pre-incubate the FTGM and SCDM tubes at 30 – 35 ^°C for 24 – 48 hrs. Label the tubes with name of media, media lot no. and pre-incubation details.
• Transfer the sampling apparatus in a closed SS container to sterile area as per respective SOP.
• Take the sampling apparatus inside the sampling area and remove the wrapping.
• Now connect the compressed air gas to inlet of sampling apparatus in to the sampling area, start slowly compressed air by opening the stopcock of the outlet port present in sampling location for 10 minutes.
• Stop the compressed air and disconnect the line from apparatus, and immediately seal the inlet and outlet of apparatus with sterile cotton plug.
• Follow the exit procedure and come out from the sampling area.
• Transfer the apparatus to sterility test room through mobile LAF.
• Carry out sterility test by membrane filtration method using 100 mL sample as per respective SOP for Sterility test.
• Incubate the tubes for 14 days and visually examine the tubes daily and its conclusion for macroscopic evidence of growth.
• If no evidence of growth observed in any of the tube, the sample to be examined for the test complies with the test for sterility.
• If evidence of microbial growth is found in the tube, the sample examined does not comply with the test for sterility.
• Carry out the failure investigation as per respective SOP for Investigation of sterility Failure.

Tests for Total Viable Aerobic Count:

• Clean the air sampling apparatus as per respective SOP.
• Fill 100 mL 0.9% Normal Saline in sampling apparatus, wrap the apparatus, glassware and other accessories required for testing of compressed air and sterilize by autoclaving at 121.5 ^°C and 15 psi as per validated procedure.
• Prepare and sterilize the SCDA media as per respective SOP.
• After autoclaving, allow the material to cool at room temperature and pre-incubate the SCDA plates at 30 – 35 °C for 24 hrs. Label the media with name of media, media lot no. and details of pre-incubation.
• Transfer the sampling apparatus in a closed SS container to sampling locations.
• Take the sampling apparatus to the sampling area as per respective SOP and remove the wrapping by opening the stopcock of the outlet port present in sampling location for 5 minutes.                                                                                           
• Stop the compressed air and disconnect the line from apparatus, and immediately seal the inlet and outlet of apparatus with sterile cotton plug.
• Follow the exit procedure and come out from the sampling area.
• Transfer the apparatus to MLT Room through Dynamic pass box.
• Under the laminar air flow filter the contents of flask aseptically through a suitable membrane filter mounted on a sterile filtration assembly.
• Remove the membrane filter. Put it aseptically on pre-incubated SCDA plate.
• Incubate the plates at 20 – 25 °C for 72 hours.
• Count the colonies on plates.
• Enter the details as per formats.
• Incubate the same plates for further 48 hours at 30 – 35 °C.
• Count the colonies on plates and enter the details as per annexure-II.                     

Precautions:

• Sampling Compressed air for sterility test shall be done with utmost care.
• Only authorized person can enter in sterility room.
• Any material used in the sterility operation or inside sterility room shall be autoclaved properly.
• Clean the waste solution reservoir immediately after sterility operations and mop the outer surface of the reservoir with 0.2m filtered 70% IPA with sterile mop.
  • Frequency: fortnight.

ABBREVIATIONS

• SOP :           Standard Operating Procedure
• SCDA :         Soyabean Casein Digest Agar
• SCDM :         Soyabean Casein Digest Medium
• FTGM :          Fluid Thioglycollate Medium
• PSI :               Pound per square inch
• LAF :               Laminar Air Flow
• SS :                 Stainless Steel
• µ :                   Micron
• % :                   Percentage
• IPA :                 Iso Propyl Alcohol
• °C :                 Degree Centigrade
• Hrs :               Hours
• CA :                Compressed Air
• CFU :              Colony Forming Unit
• m³       :           Cubic Meter

REFERENCES

• Nil

ANNEXURES

Nil  

  DISTRIBUTION DETAILS

• SOP shall be distributed to Quality Assurance and Microbiology Department.

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