It can take up to 3 years to show bacteria, viruses or cell cultures right into a vaccine. Since vaccines are injected directly into the body, safety and purity have the highest priority in production. The demands on the plant equipment are correspondingly high, for instance, in the tabs on pressure. The PG43SA group of diaphragm pressure gauges from WIKA are tailored to the.
Designed completely in hygienic design: the diaphragm pressure gauges of the PG43SA series
Three instrument models to pick from
The hygienic instruments with flush, welded diaphragm elements are suitable for pressure monitoring in every areas of vaccine production. This applies, not merely to the ?upstream? and ?downstream? stations, but additionally to the support processes.
There are three 3A and EHEDG-certified models to choose from:
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 in the process, depends upon their safety requirements and the installation conditions ? although the model PG43SA-S already meets a big section of the requirements for pressure monitoring.
Critical situation instantly
The further the vaccine production progresses, the more valuable the merchandise becomes. Through the ?downstream? filtration processes, the future active ingredient is increasingly purified. Here, pressure monitoring provides the decisive information as to whether the filters are still working correctly or are clogging up and have to be replaced. Okay PG43SA-S with red limit value marking, for example, enables a crucial situation to be detected, unmistakably, at a glance.
In filtration plant, pressure monitoring can be used, among other things, to check on the filter status and to draw focus on 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 a filtration system at a vaccine manufacturer in China: in this instance, a peristaltic pump conveys the active ingredient to the capsule filter via a hose. The challenge of the extremely cramped available space meant a small measuring instrument was required, and the model PG43SA-C met this.
The instrument could be easily attached to the hose before and following the filter due to its process connection being integrated into the case ? a patented design. This measuring solution shows the operator if the pump and filter will work normally. The PC43SA-C supplies a good plan view for this. It is therefore also ideal for pressure monitoring in vertical pipelines.
The models in the PG43SA series, like all diaphragm pressure gauges, due to their mechanical principle, always reliably indicate the procedure pressure. They measure with high overload safety and independently of electricity. This meets the safety requirements, particularly when transporting the intermediate products and the finished vaccine. These are transported in mobile tanks from the bioreactor via chromatograph and filtration 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 the necessary pressure information at any time, 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 whether the pressure remains constant. This is also a leak test: a falling pressure may 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 is usually opened without danger. Exactly the same applies to pressure monitoring during tank cleaning and the pressure test before refilling.
In tank applications, in addition to the measurement quality described, another benefit of diaphragm pressure gauges comes to the fore: the instruments work with a ?dry? measuring cell. Explode eliminates the chance of product contamination by way of a system fill fluid, as may be the case with conventional diaphragm seal systems. In this manner, they prevent potential damage that could amount to millions.
Further risk minimisation
In these and similar sensitive processes, the model PG43SA-D really 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 very robust measuring element should break because of extreme process conditions or rough mechanical influences, the patented monitoring function immediately reports the damage via a ?red? indicator. A second 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. Because of their hygienic design, the PG43SA diaphragm pressure gauges are suitable for CIP/SIP cleaning processes and are all autoclavable.
Note
You can find a synopsis and technical details of the PG43SA series hygienic diaphragm pressure gauges on the WIKA website or inside our flyer: ?Safe and reliable: Pressure displays in hygienic design?. You want to buy hygienic diaphragm pressure gauges? Inside our WIKA online-shop you will find some of our standard designs. For those who have any questions, your contact will gladly help you.
Also read Mischievous for pharmaceutical processes: Flush-mounted dry measurement
Hygienic pressure gauge: IP68 with cleaning from the outside
The following video also informs you about the PG43SA instruments: