OCM-6T Portable Gas Sampling Concentrator

Overview

The OCM-6T Portable Gas Sampling Concentrator is an engineered solution for on-site, non-invasive volatile organic compound (VOC) and semi-volatile organic compound (SVOC) sampling in controlled environments—particularly cleanrooms, semiconductor fabrication facilities, pharmaceutical production suites, and indoor air quality (IAQ) assessment zones. Unlike stationary thermal desorption or sorbent tube samplers, the OCM-6T operates on a passive–active hybrid principle: it combines adhesive-based surface sampling with controlled vacuum-assisted purge-and-trap concentration. The device draws ambient or surface-emitted vapors across a standardized 100 cm² sampling area using an integrated diaphragm vacuum pump, delivering consistent flow up to 200 mL/min through a pre-packed Tenax GR sorbent tube (PAT). Its compact, hand-carriable form factor (230 × 260 × 250 mm; 10 kg) enables rapid deployment without requiring fixed power infrastructure or external gas supply—critical for ISO Class 3–5 cleanroom compliance where mobile instrumentation must minimize particulate generation and spatial intrusion.

Key Features

• Portable ergonomic design with integrated carrying handle and low-profile footprint—engineered for seamless transport into classified cleanroom environments without compromising gowning protocols.
• Adhesive-mount sampling interface: utilizes double-sided mounting tape for secure, vibration-resistant attachment to flat architectural surfaces (e.g., epoxy-coated floors, stainless steel walls, laminar flow hood interiors), enabling localized emission source profiling.
• Disposable aluminum foil ring gasket system: each aluminum foil disc (supplied in 10-packs) forms a sealed, single-use sampling perimeter that prevents cross-contamination between sequential measurements—eliminating carryover from prior analytes.
• Onboard vacuum pump with regulated flow control: ensures stable purge gas delivery without external regulators or mass flow controllers; pump operation is silent (<45 dB(A)) and oil-free, meeting cleanroom-compatible equipment standards.
• Standardized PAT compatibility: accepts one pre-packed Tenax GR sorbent tube (ASTM D6196-compliant), ensuring reproducible breakthrough volumes and thermal desorption compatibility with GC–MS or GC–FID systems per EPA TO-17 and ISO 16000-6 protocols.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The OCM-6T is validated for sampling a broad spectrum of target analytes including aldehydes (e.g., formaldehyde, acetaldehyde), aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, xylene), chlorinated solvents (trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene), and oxygenated VOCs (acetone, MEK, ethanol). Its sampling geometry and flow profile comply with ISO 16000-23 (indoor air—sampling strategy for VOCs) and JIS A 1912 (Japanese standard for building material emissions testing). All wetted parts are inert (anodized aluminum housing, PTFE-sealed valves, glass-reinforced polymer manifold), minimizing adsorption artifacts. The device supports GLP-aligned documentation workflows when paired with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and its sealed sampling interface satisfies containment requirements under ISO 14644-3 for particle generation during operation.

Software & Data Management

The OCM-6T operates as a hardware-controlled standalone sampler—no embedded firmware, touchscreen, or proprietary software is required. All operational parameters (sampling duration, flow verification via calibrated rotameter, pump activation/deactivation) are manually configured and recorded externally per SOP. This architecture eliminates cybersecurity risks associated with networked instruments and simplifies 21 CFR Part 11 compliance: raw sampling metadata (date/time, location ID, operator initials, foil lot number, PAT batch ID) is entered directly into laboratory notebooks or LIMS templates. Calibration certificates for included accessories (Tenax GR tube, flow indicator) are traceable to NMIJ (National Metrology Institute of Japan) standards.

Applications

• Cleanroom qualification and routine monitoring of airborne molecular contamination (AMC) in semiconductor lithography bays.
• Post-construction IAQ verification in hospitals, laboratories, and data centers—targeting off-gassing from adhesives, sealants, and composite panels.
• Source identification of VOC emissions from HVAC duct linings, ceiling tiles, and modular cleanroom wall systems.
• Method development for ISO 16000-9 (material chamber testing) and ASTM D5116 (small-scale environmental chambers).
• Field-deployable screening for regulatory compliance with EU REACH SVHC screening or California Prop 65 exposure assessments.

FAQ

Is the OCM-6T compatible with thermal desorption systems from other manufacturers?
Yes—the supplied Tenax GR PAT tube adheres to standard 6 mm OD × 90 mm length dimensions and meets ASTM D6196 sorbent performance criteria, ensuring interoperability with PerkinElmer, Markes, Gerstel, and Thermo Fisher thermal desorption units.
Can sampling be performed vertically or upside-down?
Yes—adhesive mounting allows stable orientation on walls, ceilings, or equipment surfaces; however, prolonged inverted operation (>30 min) is not recommended due to potential condensate migration into the pump head.
What maintenance is required for the integrated vacuum pump?
The diaphragm pump requires no scheduled maintenance; lifetime is rated at ≥10,000 operating hours under nominal load. Replacement diaphragms and valves are available as service kits (part no. OCM-PUMP-KIT-01).
Are custom sampling areas supported?
No—the 100 cm² aperture is fixed and metrologically validated; alternative geometries would invalidate flow calibration and ISO 16000-23 comparability.
Does the device include flow calibration documentation?
Each unit ships with a factory-verified flow certificate (NMIJ-traceable), confirming linearity and repeatability across the 50–200 mL/min range at 25 °C and 101.3 kPa.