Burkard C90M Cyclonic Air Sampler

Overview

The Burkard C90M Cyclonic Air Sampler is an engineered solution for non-impactive, high-efficiency airborne particulate collection in controlled and ambient environments. Unlike impactor-based samplers that rely on inertial impaction and suffer from particle bounce, re-entrainment, or filter clogging, the C90M employs reverse cyclonic separation—a fluid-dynamic principle where air enters tangentially into a conical chamber, generating a stable, low-shear vortex. Within this controlled centrifugal field, particles ≥0.5 µm experience sufficient radial migration force to separate from the main airflow and deposit inertially onto the inner wall of the collection chamber before being directed into a sterile 1.5 mL centrifuge tube. This mechanism preserves biological integrity—critical for viable spore, bacterial, fungal, and allergenic pollen recovery—without desiccation stress, thermal degradation, or mechanical shearing commonly associated with membrane filtration or slit-to-agar impactors.

Key Features

• Reverse cyclonic separation ensures high collection efficiency across a broad aerodynamic diameter range: ≥90% for particles <1 µm and 19.9% of total collected mass below 2.5 µm—significantly exceeding conventional single-stage impactors (e.g., 9.5% recovery <2.5 µm).
• Low-flow impedance design enables continuous operation at 16.6 LPM using an ultra-quiet, brushless turbine fan—acoustically optimized for unattended sampling in laboratories, cleanrooms, hospitals, and occupied indoor spaces.
• Robust construction from precision-machined, naturally anodized aluminum alloy provides long-term dimensional stability, chemical resistance, and immunity to environmental corrosion—even under repeated sterilization cycles or humid conditions.
• Integrated NiCd battery pack sustains full 20 LPM airflow during portable operation; smart dual-voltage (120/240 VAC) charging circuitry supports global deployment without external transformers.
• Dedicated 9 × 3 mm vertical inlet geometry is calibrated for laminar, low-turbulence sampling in environments with minimal air velocity gradients—ideal for HVAC duct monitoring, operating room surveillance, and static-room bioaerosol profiling.
• Front-panel preset timer (0–99 min) with audible termination alert ensures protocol compliance and eliminates manual intervention; neon status indicator confirms active sampling state.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The C90M is validated for quantitative recovery of viable and non-viable biological aerosols—including Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium spores, Gram-positive/negative bacteria, and allergenic pollen grains—without compromising downstream analytical integrity. Collected material remains suspended in liquid phase within the 1.5 mL centrifuge tube, enabling direct application to culture media, PCR extraction, immunoassay (e.g., ELISA), or flow cytometry. The system meets ISO 14698-1:2003 requirements for microbiological contamination control in cleanrooms and associated controlled environments. Its non-destructive collection method aligns with USP guidance on environmental monitoring program design and supports GLP-compliant documentation when paired with validated SOPs and electronic audit trails.

Software & Data Management

While the C90M operates as a standalone hardware platform, its deterministic sampling parameters—fixed flow rate, defined inlet geometry, and reproducible cyclone dynamics—enable traceable quantitative correlation between sampled volume and recovered particle load. When integrated into laboratory information management systems (LIMS), time-stamped run logs (via manual entry or optional external data logger) support 21 CFR Part 11–compliant record retention. The absence of consumable filters or agar plates eliminates lot-to-lot variability, enhancing inter-laboratory comparability and reducing analytical uncertainty in trend analysis over extended monitoring periods.

Applications

• Aeroallergen surveillance for clinical immunology and epidemiological studies of seasonal rhinitis and asthma triggers.
• Healthcare-associated infection (HAI) risk assessment via real-time detection of airborne Acinetobacter baumannii, MRSA, or Aspergillus fumigatus in transplant units and burn wards.
• Pharmaceutical facility environmental monitoring per EU GMP Annex 1 and ISO 14644-1 Class 5–8 zone qualification.
• Indoor air quality (IAQ) investigations targeting fine particulate matter (PM_2.5)–associated microbial load in schools, museums, and archival storage facilities.
• Baseline bioaerosol characterization prior to and following decontamination protocols (e.g., hydrogen peroxide vapor, UV-C irradiation).

FAQ

What particle size range does the C90M effectively collect?
The C90M demonstrates ≥90% collection efficiency for particles <1 µm aerodynamic diameter and captures 19.9% of total particulate mass below 2.5 µm—making it particularly suitable for ultrafine biological aerosols.
Can the collected sample be used for viability assays?
Yes. The gentle cyclonic deposition preserves microbial viability; samples are directly compatible with colony-forming unit (CFU) enumeration, qPCR, and metabolic activity assays.
Is calibration required before each use?
No routine recalibration is needed. The fixed-orifice design and regulated turbine speed ensure consistent 16.6 LPM flow rate; annual verification against a primary flow standard (e.g., dry calibrator per ISO 5800) is recommended.
How is sterility maintained during sampling?
The 1.5 mL centrifuge tube is pre-sterilized and sealed; the entire inlet path is autoclavable. Optional ethanol wipe-down of external surfaces prior to deployment ensures aseptic handling.
Does the C90M comply with international regulatory standards?
It supports compliance with ISO 14698-1, ISO 14644-1, USP , and EU GMP Annex 1 through its validated physical collection mechanism and documented operational repeatability.