2.5 P100 Technical Description
The P100 (EMTEK, LLC Portable 100) is a portable, battery operated, microbial air sampler. Its enclosure is comprised of a
top cover that is made of Kydex
TM
that lies over an aircraft grade aluminum base plate. The KydexTM cover contains
MicrobanTM, an antimicrobial agent that minimizes and/or reduces the growth of microbial contaminants that may come in
contact with the KydexTM cover. The user interfaces with the P100 through a two color LCD touch screen for entering user
defined sample parameters and for the initiation and termination of sample runs. During operation the LCD displays key
sample run information, as well as a visual sample progress indicator.
The P100 is offered with two (2) sample flow rates: 28.3 LPM (1 CFM) and 100 LPM. The highest flow rate, 100 LPM,
allows for the collection of a cubic meter of air in 10-minutes, while the 28.3 LPM (1 CFM) flow rate takes approximately 35
minutes to capture a cubic meter. The flow is controlled through a proprietary CPU control system, which offers automated
flow control of the two defined flow rates. Flow rates are calibrated and set against traceable standards through the use of
an external software program and may not be altered through the user interface on the unit. Sample rates and total volume
sampled maybe displayed and output in Cubic Feet, Liters, or Cubic Meters (only for total volume). Flow alarm settings are
available for the flow rates, which will produce both an audible and visual alarm during operation and may be output to the
optional printer upon completion/termination of the sample period. Alarm occurrences are maintained within the systems
internal memory with the associated sample parameter information until the 500 sample run memory buffer is cleared.
The P100 operates with separate sieve impaction inlet covers for each of the two flow rates, 28.3 LPM (1 CFM) and 100
LPM. The inlet covers include a 300 hole pattern with appropriate inlet hole sizing for each flow rate to assure optimal
physical and biological recovery capabilities. Each inlet cover includes a distance gauge, which works in conjunction an
adjustable media stage to assure an ideal distance is maintained between the inlet cover and test media surface for appropriate
microbial particulate capture. The air sampler uses standard 90mm agar based microbial test plates (e.g., Trypticase Soy Agar
(TSA)). During testing the sampled air volume drawn through each air sampler is HEPA filtered before being exhausted
within the P100.
The P100 software, allows for sampling periods of up to 120-minutes (or 120 Cubic Feet/3396 Liters/3.4 Cubic Meters) at
the 28.3 LPM sample rate, while sample times are limited 30-minutes (or 106 Cubic Feet/3000 Liters/3 Cubic Meters) at 100
LPM. While the stated time periods, or total sample volumes are allowed by the P100, EMTEK strongly suggests that all
sampling periods employed by be qualified by the user to verify appropriate organismal recovery. In addition, the P100
offers the user the capability of entering an initial sample delay, as well as hold and test periods for each sample run. This
initial sample delay allows the user time to exit the immediate area of the sample location, while the hold and test period
settings allows for intermittent sampling of an area or process for an extended time period, as determine appropriate by the
user. For an example, the user may set an initial delay period of 3-minutes and then opt to sample for 5-minute periods with
5-minute hold periods between each 5-minute sampling period, which will occur for a period up to the maximum total
sampling period defined for the flow rate chosen. If the flow rate chosen is 28.3 LPM, and the maximum active sampling
period set is 60-minutes, this would allow for twelve (12) 5-minute test periods, followed by eleven (11) 5-minute hold
periods, for a total plate exposure time of 118-minutes (including the 3-minute initial delay). This would result in a total of
60-minutes of active sampling. The blower motor powers down during hold periods. Again, EMTEK recommends the
user qualify any sampling plan used, to include sample delay, and test/hold periods.
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