It may take up to three years to turn bacteria, viruses or cell cultures into a vaccine. Since Price are injected directly into the body, safety and purity have the best priority in production. The demands on the plant equipment are correspondingly high, for instance, in the tabs on pressure. Startling of diaphragm pressure gauges from WIKA are tailored to this.
Designed completely in hygienic design: the diaphragm pressure gauges of the PG43SA series
Three instrument models from which to choose
The hygienic instruments with flush, welded diaphragm elements are suitable for pressure monitoring in every areas of vaccine production. This applies, not only to the ?upstream? and ?downstream? stations, but also to the support processes.
There are three 3A and EHEDG-certified models from which to choose:
PG43SA-S
PG43SA-D with integrated diaphragm element monitoring
PG43SA-C particularly compact with back mount process connection
Which variant a user chooses, and of which point along the way, depends upon their safety requirements and the installation conditions ? although the model PG43SA-S already meets a big part of the requirements for pressure monitoring.
Critical situation instantly
The further the vaccine production progresses, the more valuable the merchandise becomes. During the ?downstream? filtration processes, the near future active ingredient is increasingly purified. Here, pressure monitoring supplies the decisive information concerning whether the filters are still working correctly or are clogging up and should be replaced. The model PG43SA-S with red limit value marking, for example, enables a critical situation to be detected, unmistakably, instantly.
In filtration plant, pressure monitoring can be used, among other things, to check on the filter status also to draw attention to any clogging of the filter in good time.
Problem-free installation
That the compact nature of the instruments can also be important in this is illustrated by way of a filtration system at a vaccine manufacturer in China: in this instance, a peristaltic pump conveys the active ingredient to the capsule filter with a hose. The challenge of the extremely cramped available space meant a little measuring instrument was required, and the model PG43SA-C met this.
The instrument was able to be easily attached to the hose before and following the filter because of its process connection being integrated into the case ? a patented design. This measuring solution shows the operator whether the pump and filter are working normally. The PC43SA-C supplies a good plan view because of this. It is therefore also ideal for pressure monitoring in vertical pipelines.
The models in the PG43SA series, like all diaphragm pressure gauges, as a result of their mechanical principle, always reliably indicate the procedure pressure. They measure with high overload safety and independently of electricity. This meets the safety requirements, especially when transporting the intermediate products and the finished vaccine. These are transported in mobile tanks from the bioreactor via chromatograph and filtration through to filling into ampoules.
Vaccine transport in mobile tanks is known as an especially sensitive process step. The hygienic diaphragm pressure gauges of the PG43SA series provide all of the necessary pressure information anytime, independent of electrical energy.
Multiple tasks in one application
When monitoring the pressure at the tanks, the PG43SA instruments fulfil several tasks: During transport, it is very important check if the pressure remains constant. That is also a leak test: a falling pressure could be because of leaking valve or perhaps a damaged seal. After emptying the tank at the transfer point, one look at the display can determine whether there is still pressure in the tank or whether it usually is opened without danger. Exactly the same pertains to pressure monitoring during tank cleaning and the pressure test before refilling.
In tank applications, as well as the measurement quality described, another advantage of diaphragm pressure gauges involves the fore: the instruments utilize a ?dry? measuring cell. This eliminates the risk of product contamination by a system fill fluid, as is the case with conventional diaphragm seal systems. In this manner, they prevent potential damage which could amount to millions.
Further risk minimisation
In these and similar sensitive processes, the model PG43SA-D helps to further minimise risks to the vaccine. The instrument comes with an integrated diaphragm element monitor with red/white indicator. In the unlikely event that the robust measuring element should break due to extreme process conditions or rough mechanical influences, the patented monitoring function immediately reports the damage with a ?red? indicator. Another barrier in the instrument maintains the separation of process and environment.
Suitable for CIP/SIP and autoclavable
Process reliability in vaccine production includes residue-free cleaning of the equipment after each batch. Due to their hygienic design, the PG43SA diaphragm pressure gauges are ideal for CIP/SIP cleaning processes and so are all autoclavable.
Note
You can find an overview and technical information on the PG43SA series hygienic diaphragm pressure gauges on the WIKA website or in our flyer: ?Safe and reliable: Pressure displays in hygienic design?. You want to buy hygienic diaphragm pressure gauges? In our WIKA online-shop you will discover some of our standard designs. Should you have any questions, your contact will gladly assist you to.
Also read our articles
Pressure gauges for pharmaceutical processes: Flush-mounted dry measurement
Hygienic pressure gauge: IP68 with cleaning from the outside
The next video also informs you about the PG43SA instruments: