ROCKER BioVac 320 Triple-Position Stainless Steel Vacuum Filtration Manifold

Overview

The ROCKER BioVac 320 is a precision-engineered triple-position vacuum filtration manifold designed for rigorous laboratory environments requiring chemical resistance, thermal stability, and long-term operational integrity. Constructed entirely from ASTM A240-certified SUS316 stainless steel—including body, valves, handles, and fittings—the system delivers exceptional corrosion resistance against aggressive solvents, oxidizing agents, and biological residues. Its fully metallic architecture enables repeated sterilization via autoclaving (121°C, 20 min), dry-heat oven treatment (up to 250°C), or vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide (VHP) decontamination—making it suitable for GLP-compliant microbiological testing, pharmaceutical process validation, and regulated bioprocessing workflows. Unlike polymer-based manifolds, the BioVac 320 eliminates leachables, swelling, or dimensional drift under vacuum cycling, ensuring consistent seal integrity and pressure stability across thousands of filtration cycles.

Key Features

• Triple-port configuration with independent high-integrity SUS316 ball valves—each valve features PTFE-sealed stems and tactile positive-stop actuation for precise, repeatable flow control without cross-contamination.
• Full-body SUS316 construction compliant with ISO 8502-3 surface cleanliness standards; passivated per ASTM A967 for optimized oxide layer formation and chloride resistance.
• Universal funnel interface using standardized #8 silicone stoppers (included), enabling compatibility with 30–500 mL filter funnels from major suppliers (e.g., Corning, MilliporeSigma, Thermo Fisher, Pall) regardless of neck geometry or thread specification.
• Integrated 8 mm (5/16 in.) hose barb ports with O-ring-grooved sealing surfaces—designed for secure connection to vacuum lines rated up to –95 kPa (25 inHg), minimizing vacuum loss during high-throughput batch filtration.
• Modular base design with non-slip rubber feet and recessed port labeling—optimized for benchtop stability and ergonomic operation in multi-user core facilities.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The BioVac 320 supports filtration of aqueous, organic, and mildly acidic/basic solutions across life science and industrial R&D applications. It is routinely deployed in USP sterility testing, ASTM D1193 Type II water analysis, ISO 11737-1 microbial enumeration, and EPA Method 1603 (E. coli detection). The absence of plastics or elastomers in fluid-contact zones ensures compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 data integrity requirements when paired with validated vacuum pumps and digital pressure loggers. All wetted surfaces meet ASME BPE-2022 surface finish specifications (Ra ≤ 0.8 µm) for pharmaceutical-grade filtration setups.

Software & Data Management

While the BioVac 320 is a manually operated mechanical manifold, its design integrates seamlessly into digitally controlled vacuum systems. When connected to ROCKER’s VP Series vacuum pumps (e.g., VP-200C) or third-party pumps with analog/digital I/O, real-time vacuum level, runtime, and cycle count can be logged via LabVIEW, Python-based SCADA, or LIMS platforms. The manifold’s deterministic valve response and pressure-hold stability support automated SOP execution under 21 CFR Part 11 audit trails when used with electronic pump controllers featuring password-protected calibration locks and event-driven logging.

Applications

• Microbial recovery and membrane filtration in environmental water testing (e.g., drinking water, wastewater, seawater).
• Cell culture supernatant clarification prior to downstream chromatography or ultrafiltration.
• Pre-filtration of HPLC mobile phases and buffer solutions to remove particulates ≥0.22 µm.
• Resin washing and solvent exchange in solid-phase synthesis workflows.
• Particulate matter collection for gravimetric analysis per ISO 14644-1 cleanroom monitoring protocols.

FAQ

Can the BioVac 320 be autoclaved?
Yes—fully assembled units withstand standard gravity autoclave cycles (121°C, 15–20 psi, 20 minutes) without degradation. Valves remain functional after >200 cycles.
What vacuum pump capacity is recommended?
A minimum ultimate vacuum of –90 kPa and free-air displacement ≥20 L/min is advised for simultaneous 3-funnel operation with viscous samples.
Is the #8 silicone stopper compatible with aggressive solvents like acetone or chloroform?
Standard silicone exhibits limited resistance; for such solvents, fluorosilicone or Viton® stoppers (sold separately) are recommended per ASTM D1418 elastomer compatibility guidelines.
Does the 2-year warranty cover labor or only parts?
The warranty covers replacement parts only; labor and field service are available under separate ROCKER Technical Support contracts.
Can the manifold be mounted vertically or on a fume hood sash?
No—it is engineered exclusively for horizontal benchtop use; vertical mounting compromises valve sealing torque and introduces gravitational leakage risk at ports.