Rocker SolarVac601-MB-A Six-Station Stainless Steel Vacuum Filtration System

Overview

The Rocker SolarVac601-MB-A is a six-position, benchtop vacuum filtration system engineered for high-throughput microbiological analysis and suspended solids quantification in regulated laboratory environments. It operates on the principle of pressure-driven membrane filtration under controlled vacuum, enabling rapid, parallel processing of multiple aqueous or low-viscosity biological samples. Designed for compliance with standard methods including ISO 9308-1 (E. coli and coliforms), ASTM D1129 (definitions of filtration terms), and USP (particulate matter in injections), the system integrates a brushless DC-driven Alligator 200 diaphragm vacuum pump with a precision-machined, rotationally indexed stainless steel manifold. Its direct-drain architecture eliminates intermediate waste collection vessels—reducing contamination risk, minimizing benchtop footprint by up to 60%, and supporting continuous operation during extended batch runs.

Key Features

• Six-position rotating manifold with engraved sample identification markings on the aluminum alloy base plate—ensuring unambiguous sample tracking and minimizing mislabeling errors during high-volume workflows.
• Full-contact wetted components fabricated from electropolished ASTM F899 SS316 stainless steel and medical-grade platinum-cured silicone—validated for repeated autoclaving at 121 °C, 15 psi for 20 minutes without dimensional or sealing integrity loss.
• Alligator 200 vacuum pump: oil-free, diaphragm-type, rated for continuous duty; features IP64 ingress protection, CE and RoHS compliance, and integrated thermal overload protection.
• Direct-drain configuration: vacuum line connects directly to laboratory sink drainage via chemically resistant silicone tubing—eliminating need for waste bottles and enabling uninterrupted filtration cycles.
• Modular compatibility: accepts standard 47 mm diameter membranes (e.g., Pall GN-6 MCE, 0.45 µm pore size) and supports optional sterilizable stainless steel filter funnels (SF series, 100 mL capacity).
• Low-noise operation (≤60 dB[A]) achieved via BLDC motor control and vibration-damped mounting—suitable for shared lab spaces and GLP-compliant environments where acoustic interference must be minimized.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SolarVac601-MB-A accommodates a broad range of aqueous-based biological matrices—including drinking water, wastewater effluents, nutrient broths, cell culture supernatants, and buffered saline suspensions—provided viscosity remains below 5 cP and particulate load does not exceed 5% w/v. It is routinely deployed in ISO/IEC 17025-accredited environmental microbiology labs for membrane filtration assays per APHA Standard Methods 9222 B/D and EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184 Annex II. All fluid-path materials comply with USP Class VI biocompatibility requirements and FDA 21 CFR 177.2490 (silicone elastomers). The system’s mechanical design meets IEC 61010-1 safety standards for laboratory equipment, and its pump carries full CE marking under the Low Voltage and EMC Directives.

Software & Data Management

While the SolarVac601-MB-A is a hardware-only, manually operated platform (no embedded microcontroller or digital interface), it is fully compatible with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) through documented SOP integration. Each unit ships with a traceable calibration certificate referencing NIST-traceable pressure transducers used during factory vacuum validation. Audit-ready records—including maintenance logs, autoclave cycle documentation, and membrane lot traceability—are maintained externally per GLP and GMP Annex 11 expectations. Optional Dragon 100 electronic ignition burner (included in kit) provides flame-sterilization capability compliant with CLSI M22-A3 for aseptic funnel handling.

Applications

• Quantitative microbial enumeration (total coliforms, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) in environmental and potable water testing.
• Suspended solids (TSS) determination per EPA Method 160.2 and ISO 11923.
• Yeast and mold recovery from pharmaceutical process streams and cleanroom monitoring samples.
• Pre-filtration of large-volume bioreactor harvests prior to downstream chromatography or ultrafiltration.
• Particulate load assessment in sterile filtration validation studies (e.g., pre-use post-sterilization integrity testing support).

FAQ

Is the SolarVac601-MB-A suitable for use with organic solvents?
No. The wetted materials—particularly silicone gaskets and FKM diaphragms—are rated for aqueous and mildly acidic/basic solutions only. Exposure to acetone, chloroform, or THF may cause swelling or permanent seal degradation.
Can the filter funnels be sterilized using ethylene oxide (EtO)?
Yes. SS316 funnels and silicone gaskets are EtO-compatible; however, validation per ISO 11135 is required for each facility’s specific cycle parameters.
What vacuum level stability can be expected during extended multi-hour runs?
Under nominal load (6 × 100 mL water samples), vacuum drift remains within ±5 mbar over 4 hours, verified via integrated analog gauge and external digital manometer cross-check.
Does Rocker provide IQ/OQ documentation templates?
Yes. Upon request, Rocker supplies editable IQ/OQ protocols aligned with ASTM E2500 and EU GMP Annex 15, including test acceptance criteria for vacuum hold time, flow rate consistency, and thermal stability of sterilized components.