It may take up to 3 years to turn bacteria, viruses or cell cultures into a vaccine. Since vaccines are injected straight into your 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. The PG43SA series 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 available
The hygienic instruments with flush, welded diaphragm elements are suitable for pressure monitoring in every regions of vaccine production. This applies, not merely to the ?upstream? and ?downstream? stations, but also to the support processes.
You can find three 3A and EHEDG-certified models to select 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 along the way, depends on 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 product 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 remain working correctly or are clogging up and should be replaced. The model PG43SA-S with red limit value marking, for example, enables a crucial situation to be detected, unmistakably, instantly.
In filtration plant, pressure monitoring is used, among other things, to check the filter status also 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 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 via 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 could be easily mounted on 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, as a result of their mechanical principle, always reliably indicate the procedure pressure. They measure with high overload safety and independently of electrical energy. This meets the safety requirements, especially when transporting the intermediate products and the finished vaccine. They are transported in mobile tanks from the bioreactor via chromatograph and filtration systems to filling into ampoules.
Vaccine transport in mobile tanks is known as a particularly 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. This is also a leak test: a falling pressure may be due to a leaking valve or perhaps a damaged seal. After emptying the tank at the transfer point, one look at the display can determine whether there’s 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, as well as the measurement quality described, another benefit of diaphragm pressure gauges involves the fore: the instruments work with 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 way, they prevent potential damage that 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 has an integrated diaphragm element monitor with red/white indicator. In the unlikely event that the very 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. เกจวัดแรงกด 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 gear after each batch. Due to their hygienic design, the PG43SA diaphragm pressure gauges are suitable for CIP/SIP cleaning processes and so are all autoclavable.
Note
You can find a synopsis 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 would like to buy hygienic diaphragm pressure gauges? In our WIKA online-shop you will find a few of our standard designs. When you have any questions, your contact will gladly help you.
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: