It may take up to three 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 best priority in production. The demands on the plant equipment are correspondingly high, for example, 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 ideal for pressure monitoring in all regions 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 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 at which point in the process, depends on their safety requirements and the installation conditions ? although the model PG43SA-S already meets a big portion of the requirements for pressure monitoring.
Critical situation at a glance
The further the vaccine production progresses, the more valuable the merchandise becomes. Through the ?downstream? filtration processes, the near future active component is increasingly purified. Here, pressure monitoring provides the decisive information concerning whether the filters remain working correctly or are clogging up and have to be replaced. The model PG43SA-S with red limit value marking, for instance, enables a crucial situation to be detected, unmistakably, instantly.
In filtration plant, pressure monitoring is used, among other things, to check on the filter status and to draw attention to any clogging of the filter in good time.
Problem-free installation
That the compact nature of the instruments can be important in this task is illustrated by a filtration system at a vaccine manufacturer in China: in this instance, a peristaltic pump conveys the active component to the capsule filter with a hose. Content 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 attached to the hose before and after the filter due to its process connection being built-into the case ? a patented design. This measuring solution shows the operator whether 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, 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 considered an especially sensitive process step. The hygienic diaphragm pressure gauges of the PG43SA series provide all of the necessary pressure information at any time, independent of electrical energy.
Multiple tasks in a single 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. That is also a leak test: a falling pressure may be because of leaking valve or 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 might be 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 advantage of diaphragm pressure gauges comes to the fore: the instruments utilize a ?dry? measuring cell. This eliminates the chance 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 has 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 with a ?red? indicator. Another barrier in the instrument maintains the separation of process and environment.
Ideal 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 are all autoclavable.
Note
You can find an overview and technical details of 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? Inside our WIKA online-shop you will discover some of our standard designs. Assuming 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 following video also informs you about the PG43SA instruments: