HKM HK-QR-1 Airborne Microbial Aerosol Concentrating Sampler
| Brand | HKM |
|---|---|
| Model | HK-QR-1 |
| Origin | Guangdong, China |
| Sampling Principle | Virtual Impactor-Based Concentration + Liquid Impingement |
| Total Flow Range | 50–130 L/min (±5%) |
| Concentration Flow Range | 5–15 L/min (±5%) |
| Flow Repeatability | ±2% |
| Capture Efficiency | ≥90% for particles ≥0.5 µm |
| Theoretical Concentration Ratio | 1:10 |
| Collection Liquid Volume | 20 mL |
| Data Storage Capacity | 4000 sampling records with timestamp, location ID, group ID, volume, and duration |
| Display | 3.5-inch capacitive touch LCD (bilingual UI) |
| Compliance | GB/T 18204.5–2013, WS 394–2012, GB/T 38517–2020, GB/T 18204.3–2013, JJF 1826–2020 |
Overview
The HKM HK-QR-1 Airborne Microbial Aerosol Concentrating Sampler is an engineered solution for high-efficiency collection and concentration of viable and total bioaerosols from large-volume air samples. Designed specifically for environmental hygiene monitoring in HVAC systems and public indoor spaces, it integrates a front-end virtual impactor-based aerosol concentrator with a standard liquid impingement collector—enabling rapid enrichment of low-concentration airborne microorganisms into a small-volume liquid medium (20 mL). Unlike conventional single-stage samplers operating at fixed low flow rates, the HK-QR-1 employs dual independent pneumatic circuits: a high-flow main channel (50–130 L/min) draws ambient air, while a dedicated concentration circuit (5–15 L/min) selectively enriches respirable-sized bioaerosols via inertial separation. This two-stage architecture significantly improves detection sensitivity for slow-growing or low-abundance pathogens—including Legionella pneumophila—without compromising microbial viability during extended sampling periods.
Key Features
- Dual-flow architecture with real-time independent monitoring of total flow (50–130 L/min) and concentration flow (5–15 L/min), both adjustable via precision mass flow controllers
- Virtual impactor concentrator achieving ≥90% collection efficiency for particles ≥0.5 µm and ≥80% for ≥3 µm, delivering a theoretical concentration ratio of 1:10
- High-capacity impingement stage using glass collection bottles compatible with standard microbiological culture media and molecular extraction protocols
- 3.5-inch capacitive touch LCD interface supporting English/Chinese language switching and intuitive menu navigation
- Three operational modes: programmed sampling (up to 255 cycles with user-defined interval/duration), volumetric sampling (target volume from 1–9999 L), and manual start/stop control
- On-device data logging of up to 4000 complete sampling events—including location ID, group ID, cumulative volume, start/end timestamps, and flow profiles—with time-stamped audit trail
- USB-C interface for direct connection to Windows-based workstations; compatible with HKM Data Management Software for GLP-compliant report generation, trend analysis, and export to CSV/PDF formats
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The HK-QR-1 is validated for use with standard liquid-based microbiological collection media (e.g., buffered peptone water, yeast extract broth, or proprietary Legionella-selective solutions) and supports downstream culture, PCR, qPCR, and metagenomic workflows. Its mechanical design and performance parameters conform to Chinese national standards governing public health and occupational hygiene assessment: GB/T 18204.5–2013 (HVAC system inspection), WS 394–2012 (HVAC hygiene specifications), GB/T 38517–2020 (bioaerosol sampling and analysis general principles), GB/T 18204.3–2013 (airborne microorganism testing), and JJF 1826–2020 (calibration methodology for air microbiological samplers). While not certified to ISO 14698 or EN 13098, its flow accuracy (±5%), repeatability (±2%), and pressure load capacity (≥2 kPa on main inlet; ≥50 kPa on concentrator outlet) meet baseline requirements for routine compliance-driven sampling in regulated facilities.
Software & Data Management
The embedded firmware supports traceable, tamper-resistant data recording with automatic timestamping and configurable metadata fields (e.g., site code, operator ID, sampling purpose). All logged entries include raw flow values, elapsed time, target volume, actual collected volume, and system status flags. When connected via USB, the HKM Data Management Software enables batch export of structured datasets compliant with internal QA/QC documentation practices. Audit logs retain full history of parameter changes and sampling initiation events—supporting alignment with GLP documentation frameworks and facilitating retrospective review during regulatory inspections. No cloud connectivity or remote access functionality is implemented; all data remains under local administrative control.
Applications
- Routine surveillance of HVAC supply air ducts for Legionella pneumophila, Aspergillus spp., and other opportunistic pathogens in hospitals, hotels, and office buildings
- Baseline and post-maintenance bioaerosol profiling in cleanrooms, laboratories, and pharmaceutical manufacturing environments
- Epidemiological field studies assessing airborne transmission risk in schools, transportation hubs, and elderly care facilities
- Validation of air disinfection technologies (e.g., UV-C, bipolar ionization, photocatalytic oxidation) through pre- and post-treatment bioaerosol quantification
- Research-grade collection of environmental bioaerosols for genomic, proteomic, or metabolomic characterization
FAQ
What is the maximum recommended sampling duration per cycle?
The device supports programmable sampling up to 9999 seconds (~2.8 hours) per cycle. For optimal microbial recovery, especially for fastidious organisms, sampling durations exceeding 2 hours should be validated against culture-based recovery benchmarks.
Can the HK-QR-1 be used with non-standard collection liquids?
Yes—provided the liquid viscosity and surface tension fall within the operational envelope of the impingement nozzle (standard aqueous buffers and nutrient broths are fully supported; highly viscous or volatile solvents require prior validation).
Is calibration traceable to national metrological standards?
Calibration follows JJF 1826–2020 procedures; users must perform annual verification using NIST-traceable flow calibrators. Factory calibration certificates list uncertainty budgets per ISO/IEC 17025 guidelines.
Does the device support external trigger inputs or analog outputs?
No—HK-QR-1 operates as a standalone sampling unit without industrial I/O interfaces. Integration with building management systems requires third-party signal conversion hardware.
How is sample integrity maintained during transport to the lab?
Collected liquid samples should be stored at 2–8°C and processed within 4 hours for culturable assays or within 24 hours for nucleic acid preservation; optional ice packs and insulated carriers are recommended for field deployments.
