Huan Kai ACS-150 Airborne Microbial Aerosol Sampler
| Brand | Guangdong Huan Kai (BHK) |
|---|---|
| Origin | Guangdong, China |
| Model | ACS-150 |
| Total Sampling Volume | 0–9999 L |
| Main Flow Rate | 50–130 L/min (±5%) |
| Concentration Flow Rate | 5–15 L/min (±5%) |
| Flow Repeatability Error | ±2% |
| Inlet Load Capacity (with separator) | ≥2 kPa |
| Concentration Circuit Load Capacity | ≥50 kPa |
| Collection Efficiency (≥3 µm bioaerosols) | ≥80% |
| Collection Efficiency (≥0.5 µm bioaerosols) | ≥90% |
| Theoretical Concentration Ratio | 1:10 |
| Delay Setting Range | 0–9999 s |
| Auto-Sampling Duration | 0–9999 s |
| Programmed Sampling Duration per Cycle | 0–9999 s |
| Inter-Sampling Interval | 0–9999 s |
| Max Programmable Cycles | 255 |
| Collection Liquid Volume | 20 mL |
| Telescopic Tripod Height | 1.5 m (4 m optional) |
Overview
The Huan Kai ACS-150 Airborne Microbial Aerosol Sampler is an engineered solution for high-efficiency, quantitative collection of viable and total bioaerosols from ambient and HVAC-supplied air. It operates on a dual-stage virtual impactor–liquid impingement principle: a front-end high-flow virtual impactor pre-concentrates airborne microorganisms from large-volume air streams, followed by inertial impaction into a sterile liquid medium within a standard glass impinger (e.g., AGI-30 or All-Glass Impinger). This architecture overcomes the fundamental limitation of conventional single-stage samplers—low capture efficiency at environmentally relevant low-concentration bioaerosol levels—by achieving up to 10-fold concentration without compromising microbial viability. Designed specifically for compliance-driven environmental monitoring, the ACS-150 supports routine surveillance of Legionella pneumophila in central air conditioning systems, as well as broader assessment of microbial contamination in public spaces, hospitals, laboratories, and cleanrooms.
Key Features
- Dual-Independent Flow Control: Simultaneous real-time monitoring and manual adjustment of main airflow (50–130 L/min) and concentrator airflow (5–15 L/min), each with ±5% accuracy and ±2% repeatability—enabling precise optimization of concentration ratio and particle cut-off size.
- Intelligent Sampling Modes: Three operational modes—programmed (up to 255 sequential cycles with individually defined duration and interval), volumetric (target volume termination), and manual—support flexible deployment across standardized protocols and research workflows.
- High-Fidelity Data Logging: Internal memory stores up to 4,000 complete sampling records, including location ID, group ID, sampled volume, start/stop timestamps, flow profiles, and user-defined metadata—fully traceable and exportable via USB interface.
- Human-Centered Interface: 3.5-inch high-resolution capacitive touchscreen with intuitive icon-based navigation; bilingual (English/Chinese) firmware ensures accessibility for international field technicians and QA personnel.
- Robust Bioaerosol Capture: Glass impinger-based collection maintains >90% efficiency for particles ≥0.5 µm and >80% for ≥3 µm, validated under ISO 21501-4 and GB/T 38517-2020 test conditions; 20 mL collection volume minimizes evaporation and preserves viability during extended sampling (up to 8 hours).
- Regulatory-Ready Hardware Architecture: Dual-pressure-load tolerance (≥2 kPa inlet, ≥50 kPa concentrator circuit) ensures stable operation when coupled with cyclonic separators or filtration pre-stages required in high-dust environments.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The ACS-150 is validated for use with standard microbiological liquid impingers (e.g., AGI-30, SKC BioSampler) and compatible with common collection media—including buffered peptone water, yeast extract broth, and glycine–Tween 80 solutions—for subsequent culture-based enumeration (e.g., ISO 11731-2, ASTM D6301) or molecular analysis (qPCR, metagenomics). Its performance aligns with key national standards governing indoor air quality and HVAC hygiene: GB/T 18204.5-2013 (HVAC system inspection), WS 394-2012 (public venue HVAC sanitation), GB/T 18204.3-2013 (air microbiology testing), and GB/T 38517-2020 (bioaerosol sampling fundamentals). Calibration traceability follows JJF 1826-2020, supporting metrological integrity in GLP-compliant laboratories and third-party verification audits.
Software & Data Management
Data retrieval and reporting are facilitated through HKM Data Management Software (Windows-compatible), which provides secure, timestamped import of raw sampling logs. The software enables filtering by date range, location tag, or sampling group; generates PDF-formatted audit-ready reports with embedded flow curves and metadata; and exports CSV files for integration with LIMS platforms. All data entries include immutable timestamps and operator IDs—supporting 21 CFR Part 11-aligned electronic record integrity where required. No cloud dependency: full local control ensures data sovereignty and compliance with institutional IT security policies.
Applications
- Routine Legionella surveillance in centralized HVAC ventilation ducts and cooling towers
- Post-renovation or post-outbreak air quality verification in healthcare facilities
- Validation of air disinfection systems (UVGI, bipolar ionization, photocatalytic oxidation)
- Occupational exposure assessment in pharmaceutical manufacturing cleanrooms (ISO 14644-1 Class 5–8)
- Field studies of airborne fungal spores, bacterial endotoxins, and viral surrogates in epidemiological investigations
- Method development and inter-laboratory comparison studies under ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation frameworks
FAQ
What is the theoretical concentration ratio, and how is it achieved?
The ACS-150 achieves a nominal 10:1 concentration ratio by drawing 100 L/min of ambient air through the virtual impactor while directing only 10 L/min into the impinger—enabling detection of low-abundance pathogens without prolonged sampling durations.
Can the device operate continuously for 8 hours as stated in the specifications?
Yes—when configured with stable power supply and appropriate cooling, the system maintains thermal and flow stability over extended runs; the 8-hour viability claim refers to preservation of culturable microbes in 20 mL collection fluid under typical indoor temperature/humidity conditions.
Is the HKM software validated for regulated environments?
While HKM itself is not FDA-validated, its audit-trail functionality, electronic signature support, and immutable logging structure meet foundational requirements for Part 11 compliance when deployed within a validated laboratory information management system (LIMS) framework.
Does the ACS-150 require annual recalibration?
Per JJF 1826-2020, flow sensors shall be verified annually using a NIST-traceable primary standard (e.g., dry calibrator or bubble meter); full calibration is recommended after mechanical shock, filter replacement, or performance deviation exceeding ±5% of setpoint.
How does the dual-flow design improve recovery of fragile microorganisms?
By decoupling high-velocity aerosol acceleration (in the impactor) from low-shear liquid collection (in the impinger), the ACS-150 minimizes shear-induced cell lysis—preserving colony-forming units (CFUs) and enabling downstream PCR amplification with higher sensitivity than single-stage cascade impactors.
