A contamination-free aseptic sampling system, initially developed for the milk processing industry by leading hygienic valve specialists Sudmo, is now gaining recognition in the beverage industries.

A contamination-free aseptic sampling system, initially developed for the milk processing industry by leading hygienic valve specialists Sudmo, is now gaining international recognition in the brewing and beverage industries, ensuring they maintain the highest possible quality for their products. Qualified laboratory personnel and a suitably equipped laboratory require aseptic sampling to prove that filling systems are themselves aseptic. The Sudmo sampling system prevents germs entering the sampling process from the environment and thereby avoids contamination, which can affect any results through secondary infection.

A germ-free environment during continuous 24-hour production is one of the principle demands the beverage industry makes on the process periphery of cold aseptic filling (CAF) systems.

In order to prove sterility, any corresponding sampling system must provide an aseptic mode of operation.

This fully-automatic system for contamination-free sampling can be used for products with a viscosity of up to 100 mPas.

Essentially, it consists of a dead space-free valve block with an inline housing connection and is equipped with three miniature fold bellows valves.

One of the valves and the pipeline system to be sampled are connected via an inline connection.

The two other valves serve to import steam and flushing water into the sampling system.

A sampling station is connected to this valve block via a pipeline, into which a sampling bottle can be inserted via a special sampling lock.

The system is sealed by a combination consisting of a PT-100 resistance thermometer, a steam trap and two aseptic valves via which the condensate, flushing water and the CIP (cleaning in process) media can be separated.

Easy Dismantling.

During the design phase special consideration has been given to the sampling bottle stopper.

It is designed similar to a keg flat fitting and consists of a minimum number of parts that can be dismantled and reassembled with the minimum of effort.

The stopper has a spring-loaded locking pin, which can only be pressed towards the inside.

In contrast to other competitive systems, the bottle can be removed after sampling without other components.

After processing the specimen, the bottle and the dismantled stopper are cleaned, re-assembled and subsequently autoclaved as a complete unit.

This guarantees the sampling bottle is in perfect hygienic condition before the next sampling.

Handling the sampling bottle when placing it into the pick-up unit is extremely easy and can even be performed single handed.

A locking bar makes the operation ergonomic, simple and safe.

After the pick-up unit has been clamped and mechanically secured, the automatic sampling cycle can be started.

It automatically performs a series of steps, which carry out the following functions sequentially under temperature and/or time-controlled conditions:.

* Steaming of the inside of the sampling system at up to 150C in order to sterilize all areas.

* Defined cooling phase, in order to avoid a thermal change of the specimen when being transferred to the sampling bottle.

* Transfer of the specimen from the pipeline system to the sampling bottle, in which the drive of the pick-up unit presses the locking pin towards the inside during pulse/pause operation, thereby releasing the flow path of the liquid to be sampled into the sampling bottle.

* Flushing the sampling system to remove product residue.

The Sudmo aseptic sampling system unit is available in various design formats.

The simplest design is limited to the mechanical components.

The scope of delivery includes valve technology together with complete piping and adaptation in the process pipe.

This design offers customers the advantage of integrating the unit with an existing control system.

As an extended expansion level Sudmo offers automation and a switch cabinet with corresponding peripheral equipment.

In this case, the manufacturer also is able to carry out the commissioning.

A stand-alone unit, which is factory-fitted with a standard switch cabinet, can be integrated on site directly via aseptic flange connections with the higher-ranking process in accordance with the plug-and-play principle.

The operator has the option of choosing between individual and collective specimens and can start the function at the sampling system directly with the push of a button.

Overall, the complete system offers safe and simple operation providing companies with complete peace of mind; furthermore, the design fully meets all hygiene requirements.