It may take up to three years to show bacteria, viruses or cell cultures into a vaccine. Since vaccines are injected directly into your 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 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 to choose 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 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 large portion 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 component is increasingly purified. Here, pressure monitoring supplies the decisive information as to whether the filters are still working correctly or are clogging up and have to be replaced. Sick And Tired 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 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 may also be important in this task is illustrated by a filtration system at a vaccine manufacturer in China: in cases like this, a peristaltic pump conveys the active ingredient to the capsule filter with 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 built-into the case ? a patented design. This measuring solution shows the operator if the pump and filter are working 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, particularly when transporting the intermediate products and the finished vaccine. These 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 at any time, independent of electrical power.
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 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’s still pressure in the tank or whether it really 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 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 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 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 equipment after each batch. Due to 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 discover a few of our standard designs. If 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: