Products

AlfaSIP™ - Sanitization & Disinfection Kit
                    for Processing Equipment

AlfaSIP™ A new, rapid, in-situ kit to provide sanitization of the Alfa Wassermann KII and PKII continuous flow ultracentrifuges and other processing equipment without the use of heat

Sanitization In Place in a closed system for total protection

Disinfectant, sanitizer and virucide

Compatible with stainless steel, most plastics & elastomers

Short sanitization time (10-20 minutes) with no heating-cooling cycle

Simple procedure for centrifuges, chromatography and ultrafiltration systems and laboratory surfaces generally

The first product in the series, AlfaSIP-50D, is aimed at sanitization in place. The AlfaSIP-50D kit produces a >99% pure solution of chlorine dioxide in water. It is manufactured for Alfa Wassermann and produces the ClO2 in a patented, membrane-based micro-reactor envelope.

To generate the solution, the envelope containing the reagents is simply added to water. Pure chlorine dioxide is produced without the need for any capital equipment and the solution reaches the required strength after a few hours. It is then pumped into the centrifuge and resides for 10-20 minutes before rinsing or replacement by buffer. During the sanitization phase, the fluid lines can be de-bubbled ready for production.

FAQs about pure Chlorine Dioxide and the AlfaSIP™-50D kit

How many ultracentrifuges will the AlfaSIP-50D kit treat?
The kit produces 50 liters of active disinfecting / sanitizing solution. About 5-6 liters are required to sanitize an Alfa Wassermann Continuous Flow Ultracentrifuge so one kit is enough to treat 4-5 machines before and after every run.

Once the AlfaSIP solution has been made, for how long is it usable?
The solution remains usable at the correct strength for two weeks after production from the AlfaSIP-50D kit.

What strength of solution is necessary for disinfection / sanitization?
Just 100 ppm of chlorine dioxide is produced with the AlfaSIP-50D kit. The activated gas attacks biological S-S bonds and nothing else, so only a minute quantity is required compared to other sanitizing / disinfecting agents.

How about sanitization of ultrafiltration and chromatography systems?
The solution from the AlfaSIP-50D kit can be used to sanitize ultrafiltration systems and can also remove residual protein from the membranes, thus extending life and avoiding strip-down in many cases. It passes through membranes (even RO) providing simultaneous disinfection on both sides. Depending upon the columns and buffers, the AlfaSIP-50D kit can also be used to sanitize chromatography systems. For example, Phosphate Buffered Saline, Acetate and TRIS are entirely compatible with AlfaSIP. It is always recommended that users first check compatibility with the manufacturer of the equipment to be sanitized.

What other uses does AlfaSIP have?
The solution from the AlfaSIP-50D kit can be used at 100 ppm to sanitize other laboratory equipment such as centrifuges, biosafety cabinets, incubators and cold rooms. At 50 ppm strength, it is used for disinfection of the coolant loop on the AWST ultracentrifuges. At the 20 ppm level, it can be used to keep lab surfaces generally clean.

Chlorinating products can be harmful and aggressive. What about AlfaSIP?
AlfaSIP-50D does NOT contain or produce chlorine, hypochlorous acid or bleach! In fact, the chemical reaction producing the chlorine dioxide prevents the production of free chlorine. . -->

Many sanitizers are harmful to equipment. How about AlfaSIP?
Continuous exposure at ambient temperature (22ºC) of 304L and 316L stainless steel up to 550 ppm chlorine dioxide, in both welded and non-welded condition, is not expected to produce any discernable corrosion. Chlorine dioxide produced by the AlfaSIP-50D kit is also fully compatible with most plastics and elastomers.

Does AlfaSIP have to be neutralized before disposal?
Unlike sodium hydroxide, the industry standard for use with ultracentrifuges and other processing equipment, the solution from the AlfaSIP-50D kit can be drained into local sewers. Check first with your local environmental authority. The small envelope should be sent with other chemicals for disposal.

We tried stabilized chlorine dioxide but it was not very effective and we had problems with chlorites. What about AlfaSIP?
The term stabilized chlorine dioxide is misleading, and products thus named are formulations that contain sodium chlorite and activating agents that are combined to slowly release chlorine dioxide. These products produce high levels of the chlorite ion (ClO2-) that remain after reaction and produce rather low concentrations of ClO2. By comparison AlfaSIP is much more effective:

The small quantity of chlorites produced with the AlfaSIP-50D kit remain inside the envelope and cannot escape to react.

With what conditions is AlfaSIP not compatible?
The conditions to avoid (those which can degrade AlfaSIP) are:
- The presence of readily oxidizable substances
- A pH of <3 or >10.5
- The presence of reducing agents such as sodium bisulfite
- Temperatures above 35ºC

To discover how AlfaSIP™ can benefit you, please meet us at the leading exhibitions and congresses.
Find the list here...

Download your copy of the AlfaSIP™ flyer

See also the Technical Note AlfaSIP™ - Sanitization by Pure Chlorine Dioxide

A number of Trial Kits
are available for some
international customers.
Please contact us.
US Trial Kits will be
available early in 2008.

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