The amalgam separator retains the amalgam particles contained in the liquids drawn in at the chair. At Cattani, it is integrated into Smart suction systems under the name Hydrocyclone ISO. This article explains its features, the reference standard Cattani uses and the maintenance routine the manufacturer specifies.
A separator integrated into the suction system
Cattani Smart suction systems combine in a single machine suction, air-liquid separation by a centrifugal separator and amalgam retention. The Hydrocyclone ISO amalgam separator is part of this set-up.
There are two models:
- Hydrocyclone ISO 18, paired with the Turbo-Smart: maximum flow of 18 l/min according to ISO 11143, 250 ml amalgam container;
- Hydrocyclone ISO 6, paired with the Micro-Smart: maximum flow of 5.5 l/min according to ISO 11143, 115 ml amalgam container.
The Blok-Jet Silent 1, a centralized solution for two chairs, combines a Micro-Smart with Hydrocyclone ISO 6 and an AC 200 compressor.
The reference standard: ISO 11143
Cattani documentation expresses the performance of its separators according to the ISO 11143 standard. It is under this reference that the manufacturer declares the maximum flow of each Hydrocyclone: 18 l/min for the ISO 18, 5.5 l/min for the ISO 6.
This flow matters for sizing. It must match the liquids your chairs send to the suction system. This is one of the reasons why the Hydrocyclone is chosen together with the suction system, not separately.
The legal obligations that apply to your practice depend on your country and region. Check with the competent authorities. Our specialists can help you gather the Cattani technical documentation you need.
Electronic monitoring of the amalgam level
According to Cattani, all its amalgam separators are sold with electronic monitoring of the amalgam level. In practice, the suction system monitors how full the container is and shows it on the display.
Two alarms follow one another:
- at 95%: schedule the container replacement;
- at 100%: the container is full.
The maintenance guide from Cattani ESAM UK, the manufacturer's subsidiary, is clear: waiting until 100% can interrupt the practice's activity. The 95% alarm is there precisely to avoid this. The replacement is planned, not suffered.
The container is made of unbreakable material, with an airtight lid. Handling is therefore clean. Keep a spare container at the practice: you can then replace it as soon as the 95% alarm sounds, without waiting.
Maintenance as specified by Cattani
The Hydrocyclone ISO 18 manual describes three maintenance intervals.
Every day
Replace the dirty filter.
At the end of each day
Clean and disinfect the unit with a product specific to suction systems and amalgam separators. At Cattani, this is the role of Puli-Jet Plus 2.0, a disinfectant with descaling action, drawn through every evening with the Pulse Cleaner.
Every year
Dismantle the upper part of the Hydrocyclone and clean all its components, in particular the five openings.
On top of these tasks comes the daily check of the suction system's display. The Smart manual asks you to check every day for any alarm signals and, in the event of a danger warning, to contact the technician.
Installation conditions
The Hydrocyclones ISO 18 and ISO 6 operate at an ambient temperature between +5 °C and +40 °C. The ISO 18 measures 415 × 190 × 225 mm (h × w × d). These figures are useful when preparing the equipment room.
Who does what
Cattani distinguishes two levels. Routine maintenance is carried out by trained practice staff. Extraordinary maintenance is the job of a trained technician, using original parts. Replacing the container at the 95% alarm and daily cleaning are part of the routine. The annual dismantling can be left to your technician.
You will find the complete routine on the page Maintenance and the products on the page Hygiene.
In short
- The Hydrocyclone ISO is integrated into Smart suction systems.
- Its maximum flow is declared according to ISO 11143.
- The amalgam level is monitored electronically, with alarms at 95% and 100%.
- Filter every day, cleaning and disinfection every evening, dismantling every year.
To choose the suction system and its separator, see the page Suction.
A Cattani specialist can advise you
Want to check that your amalgam separator suits your suction system, or organize container replacements? A Cattani specialist will answer you, backed by the manufacturer's documentation.
Ask a Cattani specialist for advice
Sources: Cattani documentation, brochure “L'Hydrocyclone ISO et ses applications”, p. 16; Cattani documentation, manual Hydrocyclone ISO 18, p. 15, 17, 19 and 20; Cattani documentation, manual Hydrocyclone ISO 6, p. 15 and 17; Cattani documentation, manual Smart 04-2024 (FR), p. 17, 19 and 20; Cattani, Blok-Jet Silent 1 product sheet (cattani.it); Cattani ESAM UK (Cattani subsidiary), Smart suction maintenance guide, p. 7 and 9.