It may take up to three years to turn bacteria, viruses or cell cultures 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 monitoring of pressure. The PG43SA series 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 ideal for pressure monitoring in all areas of vaccine production. This applies, not only to the ?upstream? and ? Devoted ? stations, but also to the support processes.
There are 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 at which point along the way, depends upon their safety requirements and the installation conditions ? even though model PG43SA-S already meets a large portion of the requirements for pressure monitoring.
Critical situation at a glance
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 as to whether the filters are still working correctly or are clogging up and need to be replaced. The model PG43SA-S with red limit value marking, for instance, enables a critical situation to be detected, unmistakably, at a glance.
In filtration plant, pressure monitoring is used, among other things, to check 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 even be important in this task is illustrated by way of a filtering at a vaccine manufacturer in China: in cases like this, a peristaltic pump conveys the active ingredient to the capsule filter via a hose. The challenge of the very cramped available space meant a little measuring instrument was required, and the model PG43SA-C met this.
The instrument was able to be easily mounted on 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 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 process 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. These are transported in mobile tanks from the bioreactor via chromatograph and filtration through 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 the necessary pressure information anytime, independent of electrical power.
Multiple tasks in a single application
When monitoring the pressure at the tanks, the PG43SA instruments fulfil several tasks: During transport, you should check whether the pressure remains constant. That 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’s still pressure in the tank or whether it could be opened without danger. 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 involves the fore: the instruments work with a ?dry? measuring cell. This eliminates the risk of product contamination by way of a system fill fluid, as is 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 has an integrated diaphragm element monitor with red/white indicator. In the unlikely event that the 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.
Ideal 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 an overview and technical information on the PG43SA series hygienic diaphragm pressure gauges on the WIKA website or inside 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 find a few of our standard designs. For those who 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 concerning the PG43SA instruments: