Aerotest Simultan Alpha Low-Pressure Compressed Air Quality Analyzer

Overview

The Aerotest Simultan Alpha is a portable, field-deployable compressed air quality analyzer engineered specifically for rapid, quantitative assessment of low-pressure breathing air in accordance with international occupational health and safety standards—including EN 12021:2014, ISO 8573-1 (Class 1–3), and OSHA 1910.134. It operates on the principle of colorimetric tube analysis, where compressed air is drawn through calibrated Dräger detection tubes at controlled flow rates; chemical reactions between target contaminants and reagent layers produce measurable color changes proportional to concentration. This method delivers trace-level quantification without requiring gas chromatography or electronic sensors, ensuring reliability in environments where power, calibration stability, or maintenance infrastructure are limited. Designed for use in fire departments, diving operations, industrial respirator programs, and confined-space entry protocols, the Simultan Alpha provides immediate pass/fail evaluation and numerical concentration data for CO, CO₂, oil vapor, and water vapor—critical parameters governing respiratory protection integrity.

Key Features

• Simultaneous four-channel analysis: Measures CO, CO₂, oil mist/vapor, and humidity in a single 5-minute test cycle—significantly reducing time-to-result versus sequential single-tube methods.
• Integrated low-pressure regulation: Manual pressure reducer (3–15 bar input range) ensures stable, repeatable flow delivery across variable supply pressures typical of breathing air compressors and cascade systems.
• High-precision dual-flow control: Adjustable flow rates of 0.2 L/min (for CO and CO₂ tubes) and 4.0 L/min (for oil and humidity tubes) align precisely with Dräger tube specifications, minimizing measurement uncertainty.
• Robust field architecture: All components—including pressure regulator, quad-tube flow manifold, timer, tube cutter, and documentation—are housed in a certified IP65-rated hard-shell transport case (300 × 360 × 80 mm, ~2.0 kg).
• No external power required: Fully mechanical operation eliminates dependency on batteries or mains supply—ideal for remote sites, emergency response vehicles, or mobile QA/QC audits.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Aerotest Simultan Alpha is validated exclusively for low-pressure breathing air applications (≤15 bar) and compatible only with original Dräger detection tubes specified in EN 12021 Annex A: CO 5/a-p (detection range 0.5–10 ppm), CO₂ 100/a-p (10–200 ppm), oil 10/a-p (0.05–1.0 mg/m³), and humidity 20/a-p (100–2000 ppmv H₂O). Each tube batch is individually calibrated and traceable to NIST-maintained reference standards. The system supports full compliance documentation generation per ISO/IEC 17025 requirements, including operator ID, date/time stamp, pressure setting, flow verification, and raw tube readings—enabling audit-ready records for GLP, GMP, or regulatory inspections under EU Directive 89/656/EEC and OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard.

Software & Data Management

While the Simultan Alpha operates as a standalone analog instrument, its workflow integrates seamlessly into digital quality management systems. Raw measurements are recorded manually or via optional barcode-scanned tube lot numbers using companion Excel-based templates compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (when deployed with electronic signature controls). Audit trails—including calibration logs for the pressure regulator and flowmeter verification records—must be retained for minimum 5 years per EN 12021 Clause 7.3. Optional Dräger Tube Manager software (v3.2+) enables batch export of tube results, trend analysis across multiple sampling points, and automated report generation aligned with internal SOPs and third-party certification bodies (e.g., TÜV, DNV).

Applications

• Verification of breathing air purity prior to firefighter SCBA cylinder filling and cascade bank commissioning.
• Routine QC testing of medical-grade air systems in hyperbaric chambers and anesthesia gas supply networks.
• Pre-use validation for supplied-air respirators (SARs) in petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor cleanroom environments.
• Third-party certification audits for ISO 45001-compliant respiratory protection programs.
• Emergency response team readiness checks during disaster mobilization drills.

FAQ

What standards does the Aerotest Simultan Alpha comply with?
It is designed and verified for EN 12021:2014, ISO 8573-1 (Classes 1–3), and OSHA 1910.134 Appendix A requirements for breathable compressed air.
Can it measure nitrogen or oxygen content?
No—the Simultan Alpha is not configured for O₂ or N₂ analysis; it is dedicated to contaminant quantification only (CO, CO₂, oil, moisture).
Is calibration required before each use?
The device itself requires no recalibration; however, flow verification using a certified rotameter and pressure regulator check must be performed daily or per shift, as mandated by EN 12021 Clause 6.2.
Are replacement detection tubes included in the base configuration?
The complete kit (Order No. 65 27 150) includes one set of 10-tube boxes for each analyte; the bare unit (65 27 149) excludes all tubes.
What is the maximum allowable ambient temperature for operation?
The system is rated for continuous use between 5 °C and 40 °C; Dräger tubes must be stored at 15–25 °C prior to use to ensure reaction kinetics validity.