AL-430 Portable Atmospheric Sampler by Sibata Scientific Technology

Overview

The AL-430 Portable Atmospheric Sampler is an engineered solution for quantitative, time-controlled gas sampling in controlled environments—particularly cleanrooms, pharmaceutical manufacturing suites, semiconductor fabrication facilities, and ISO-classified laboratories. Designed and manufactured in Japan by Sibata Scientific Technology, the AL-430 operates on a positive-displacement diaphragm pump principle, ensuring stable volumetric flow delivery across variable backpressure conditions typical of filter-based or sorbent-tube sampling configurations. Its dual-range mass flowmeter provides calibrated accuracy over two distinct operational bands—0.07–0.7 L/min for low-flow applications such as volatile organic compound (VOC) monitoring using thermal desorption tubes, and 0.4–4 L/min for higher-volume particulate or microbial air sampling. The instrument’s core function is volume-integrated sampling: users preset a target total volume (1–9999 L), after which the device automatically terminates sampling upon reaching that value—eliminating manual timing errors and supporting compliance with standardized methods including ISO 14644-1 (cleanroom classification), ISO 8573-1 (compressed air purity), and USP / environmental monitoring protocols.

Key Features

• Volume-triggered auto-stop sampling ensures precise, repeatable collection volumes—critical for regulatory reporting and method validation.
• Integrated dual-scale mass flowmeter with real-time digital display enables rapid range selection without hardware reconfiguration.
• Modular telescopic mast (extendable up to 1.5 m) supports secure mounting to Particle Air Testing (PAT) platforms and ceiling-suspended sampling manifolds—optimized for ISO Class 3–8 cleanroom layouts.
• Triple power flexibility: 8 × AA alkaline batteries (typical 8-hour continuous operation at 1 L/min), external DC 12 V input, or AC 100 V mains adapter—ensuring uninterrupted deployment during extended environmental audits.
• Dry-gas positive-displacement flowmeter with mechanical counter provides traceable, non-electronic volume verification—serving as an independent backup to electronic integration.
• Rugged aluminum alloy housing (240 × 330 × 350 mm; 8 kg) meets IP54-rated ingress protection for dust resistance and limited moisture exposure during mobile field use.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The AL-430 is compatible with standard 37-mm and 47-mm filter cassettes (e.g., PVC, PTFE, mixed cellulose ester), stainless steel sorbent tubes (e.g., Tenax TA, Carbopack), and microbiological impactors requiring fixed-volume aspiration. It satisfies mechanical performance criteria referenced in ASTM D1357 (standard practice for sampling air for particulate matter), JIS Z 8901 (testing atmospheres for cleanrooms), and EU GMP Annex 1 requirements for environmental monitoring system qualification. While the unit itself does not include onboard data logging, its analog flow output and discrete stop signal interface support integration with validated SCADA systems under FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant architectures when paired with third-party acquisition modules.

Software & Data Management

The AL-430 operates as a stand-alone electromechanical sampling controller with no embedded firmware or cloud connectivity. All operational parameters—including set volume, elapsed time, and current flow rate—are displayed on a high-contrast LCD panel. For audit-ready documentation, users are advised to record start/stop timestamps and final volume readings manually into laboratory notebooks or electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) compliant with ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate). Optional external data loggers (e.g., HOBO UX100-003M) may be connected via the 0–5 V analog flow output for time-series flow profiling—supporting trend analysis and preventive maintenance scheduling per ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.7.

Applications

• Cleanroom environmental monitoring (viable and non-viable particle sampling per ISO 14644-1 and EU GMP Annex 1)
• VOC and semi-volatile organic compound (SVOC) collection onto thermal desorption tubes for GC-MS analysis
• Pharmaceutical facility HVAC duct sampling for microbial load assessment
• Occupational hygiene surveys targeting respirable crystalline silica (RCS) or metal fumes
• Validation of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) capture efficiency in production areas
• Reference-method calibration support for fixed-site air quality sensors (e.g., PM2.5 optical counters)

FAQ

Does the AL-430 comply with ISO/IEC 17025 calibration requirements?
Yes—the flowmeter is factory-calibrated against NIST-traceable standards, and calibration certificates (including uncertainty budgets) are provided with each unit. Recalibration is recommended annually or after 500 operating hours.
Can the AL-430 be used with conductive sampling lines for static-sensitive environments?
Yes—its grounded chassis and optional anti-static tubing kits (sold separately) meet IEC 61340-5-1 requirements for electrostatic discharge (ESD)-controlled areas.
Is the dry-gas flowmeter certified for legal metrology?
No—the dry-gas meter serves as a mechanical verification tool only; regulatory submissions must rely on the primary mass flowmeter’s calibration certificate.
What is the maximum allowable inlet pressure drop across a 47-mm PTFE filter at 2 L/min?
At 2 L/min, the AL-430 maintains ≥95% of set flow rate with ≤15 kPa differential pressure across standard 47-mm hydrophobic PTFE filters (pore size 0.2 µm), verified per manufacturer test reports.
Does the device support remote start/stop via digital I/O?
No—remote control requires external relay interfacing through the auxiliary trigger port (TTL-compatible open-collector output).