Safe sampling through needles into septum capped bottles

Samplers supplied with septum assemblies offer a higher level of sample containment over screw capped bottles and aim to absolutely minimise the risk of contact with the operator.

Septum capped bottles use a PTFE coated silicone diaphragm (or septa as they are also known) to seal the bottle. This is held in place by an aperture cap which is screwed to the bottle, compressing the diaphragm against the lip of the bottle and creating a seal.

The bottle is offered up into the septum assembly where two needles puncture the diaphragm and the silicone energizer ensures a seal around the needles. When the sampler is operated the sample flows through one of the needles into the bottle. The other needle is used as a vent, evacuating the displaced air from the sample bottle. The bottle is secured in position within the sampler assembly via a stainless steel swing catch. 

When the sampler is operated the bottle can be seen filling through either a clear guard or machined slots in the bottle guide. When the sample bottle is pulled down and withdrawn from the needles the compliance of the silicone energizer seals the bottle preventing any fumes or sample escaping. The sample bottle can then be safely conveyed to the laboratory.

Using a septum capped bottle and septum assembly has several advantages over a standard screw cap bottle.

• The sample is automatically sealed within the sample bottle.
• The operator is not exposed to fumes escaping from the sample bottle, there is no need to unscrew the bottle and fit a separate bottle cap.
• There is little risk of spillage from the sample bottle even when knocked over.
• The sample is protected from contamination from the atmosphere.

There is a wide choice of septum capped bottles and we would manufacture the septum assembly to suit the chosen size of bottle so that it will be positioned correctly to the needles.

Our septum needles are manufactured from Hastelloy to be suitable for nearly all applications, they have a unique design where they have true sharp points at the ends to pierce the septa and are non-coring, please click here for more information on the needles.