SKC BioLite+ Portable Bioaerosol Sampling Pump
| Brand | SKC |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Model | BioLite+ |
| Flow Rate | 62 L/min (max) |
| Max Backpressure | 850 mbar |
| Power Supply | 120 V AC or 230 V AC |
| Operating Temperature | 0–40 °C |
| Operating Humidity | 0–95% RH |
| Noise Level | 61–66 dB(A) at 1 m |
| Dimensions | 162 × 209 × 303 mm |
| Weight | 7.25 kg |
| Enclosure | Steel housing with integrated handle |
| IP Rating | IP20 |
| Flow Control | Manual adjustment with built-in backpressure gauge |
Overview
The SKC BioLite+ Portable Bioaerosol Sampling Pump is an engineered solution for quantitative collection of airborne biological agents—including fungal spores, bacteria (e.g., Legionella pneumophila), viruses, and other respirable bioaerosols—in compliance with established environmental and occupational health sampling protocols. Designed explicitly for integration with the SKC BioSampler®, this pump operates on a calibrated volumetric displacement principle, delivering stable, high-flow aspiration to ensure efficient inertial impaction and liquid-phase capture of viable and non-viable microorganisms. Its maximum flow rate of 62 L/min supports rapid sampling in low-concentration environments, while its capability to sustain 25 L/min total flow across two simultaneously connected BioSamplers—under 15 inHg (≈380 mbar) backpressure—enables parallel, time-synchronized collection for statistical robustness and method validation. The BioLite+ meets fundamental design requirements for field-deployable bioaerosol monitoring under ISO 14698-1 (Biocontamination control), ASTM D5257 (Standard Practice for Sampling Airborne Microorganisms), and CDC/NIOSH-recommended methodologies for healthcare-associated infection investigations.
Key Features
- High-flow capability up to 62 L/min with real-time backpressure monitoring via integrated analog gauge
- Dual BioSampler mounting ports enabling concurrent operation of two sampling units at combined 25 L/min under defined pressure resistance
- Rugged steel enclosure with ergonomic integrated handle for field portability and mechanical durability
- Manual flow regulation with fine-tuned needle valve for precise adjustment across variable filter or impinger resistance
- Compliance-ready power options: interchangeable 120 V AC (P/N 228-9615) and 230 V AC (P/N 228-9620) configurations
- Acoustically optimized motor assembly maintaining noise emission ≤66 dB(A) at 1 m—even at peak flow and elevated backpressure
- IP20-rated housing suitable for controlled indoor environments including cleanrooms, clinical spaces, and industrial hygiene settings
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The BioLite+ is validated exclusively for use with SKC BioSampler® units (20 mL collection volume), which utilize cyclonic separation followed by liquid impingement into sterile buffer media—a methodology recognized for high recovery efficiency of fragile microorganisms. It is not compatible with dry-filter or gelatin-membrane samplers without flow recalibration and performance verification. When operated within specified parameters (flow ≤25 L/min per sampler; total backpressure ≤850 mbar), the system supports data integrity requirements under GLP-aligned workflows and facilitates audit readiness for FDA 21 CFR Part 11–governed laboratories when paired with SKC’s validated electronic logging accessories (sold separately). All operational parameters adhere to NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM) Chapter 2.67 for bioaerosol sampling and align with European Standard EN 13098 for microbiological air sampling devices.
Software & Data Management
The BioLite+ is a hardware-only sampling platform with no embedded firmware or digital interface. Flow calibration, runtime tracking, and sample metadata documentation are performed externally using SKC’s optional AccuFlow™ Digital Flow Calibrator (P/N 224-4110) and companion LogTrack™ software suite. This architecture ensures traceable, timestamped flow validation logs compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 internal audit requirements. For regulated environments, users may integrate the pump into LIMS or ELN systems via manual entry of calibrated flow values, sampling duration, and environmental conditions (temperature/humidity)—all recorded on standardized SKC Form 215-Bio.
Applications
- Indoor air quality (IAQ) assessment in hospitals, laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturing suites, and office buildings
- Infection control surveillance during outbreak investigations involving airborne pathogens (e.g., influenza, SARS-CoV-2, Aspergillus)
- Veterinary facility biosecurity monitoring and zoonotic risk mapping
- Agricultural and composting facility exposure assessments—particularly where thermophilic actinomycetes or endotoxin-laden dusts are present
- Industrial hygiene evaluations in wood processing, waste handling, and bioremediation sites
- Method development and inter-laboratory comparison studies requiring reproducible high-volume aspiration
FAQ
Can the BioLite+ be used with non-SKC impingers or filters?
No. Flow calibration, backpressure response, and sampling efficiency are validated only with SKC BioSampler® units. Use with alternative collection devices requires independent performance verification per ISO 14698-2.
Is the BioLite+ suitable for outdoor or high-humidity field deployment?
It is rated IP20 and intended for indoor or sheltered environments. Continuous operation above 95% RH or in rain-exposed conditions is not supported.
Does the pump include built-in data logging?
No. Data recording requires external instrumentation such as the AccuFlow™ calibrator and LogTrack™ software.
What maintenance intervals are recommended?
SKC recommends annual inspection of motor brushes, valve seat integrity, and gauge calibration—documented per ISO/IEC 17025 maintenance logs.
Can the dual-port configuration support different flow rates per BioSampler?
No. Both ports share a common manifold; flow divides passively and must be balanced manually using individual inline rotameters (included in kit configurations).
