The processing of blood plasma as a raw material for a range of different medicines places complex demands on pressure monitoring. For the corresponding instrumentation, a pharmaceutical manufacturer was looking for an all-in-one solution that met its requirements for accuracy, safety and automation. They finally decided on the model UPT-2x process transmitter from WIKA.
Fractionation of blood plasma requires highly accurate pressure monitoring
The company produces various plasma derivatives, including antibodies against hepatitis B and tetanus. It obtains the necessary proteins by fractionating blood plasma. Their solubility can be controlled with the help of different physical and chemical parameters. In addition to ethanol concentration, the pH value and temperature, these also include, most importantly, precise pressures in each stage of the process. This is why pressure monitoring plays such an important role in the processing of blood plasma.
So what does this mean for the instrumentation? The manufacturer simplified this by choosing one type of instrument as a basis: no diversification means no compatibility problems. However, this increased the demands on the measuring instrument itself.
Flexible configuration, on-site display and intrinsic safety
Tailored for pressure monitoring in blood plasma processing: the all-in-one solution – the process transmitter model UPT-21 in intrinsically safe and hygienic design.
The pharmaceutical company generally wanted a highly accurate process transmitter with HART® communication and a display that is easy to read in any installation situation. Such a model ensures the necessary flexibility in configuring the individual pressure ranges. At the same time, it offers local monitoring of the pressure detection. Furthermore, the manufacturer required a version with intrinsic safety for the process section in which ethanol is used.
WIKA was able to fulfil all the specifications with its UPT-2x universal process transmitter. The instrument measures with an accuracy of up to 0.1 percent of span. Its case can be rotated through 330 degrees and the large display can be adjusted in 90 degree steps. The measured value can thus be clearly seen from a wide variety of viewing angles and from a distance of up to five metres.
The pressures in the actual production process are recorded by model UPT-21 transmitters with flush diaphragms. To suit the application, the instruments were delivered with a TRI-CLAMP® process connection.
Detection of hydrostatic pressure for level calculation
In addition to pressure monitoring during blood plasma processing, another downstream measuring task needed to be fulfilled: determining the hydrostatic pressure for calculating the level in the storage tanks. The medium remains unaffected by this measurement method. For this purpose, the customer uses the standard model UPT-20 in conjunction with the WIKA model 990.17 diaphragm seal for sanitary applications. At these measuring locations, the flexible positioning of the case and display also plays an important role: The measuring system is installed at the bottom of the vessels.
Note
For further details on the UPT-2x process transmitter, please visit the WIKA website. There you can also find more information about the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. Would you like to buy model UPT-2x process transmitters? In our WIKA online shop you’ll find some of our standard versions. Further solutions for pressure monitoring in the pharmaceutical industry can be found in the “Sanitary applications” brochure. If you have any questions, your contact will gladly help you.
Also read our posts
Pressure monitoring in the pharmaceutical industry with a universal instrument
Diaphragm seal system with diaphragm monitoring – also digital
Pressure gauges for pharmaceutical processes: Flush-mounted “dry measurement”
Diaphragm seal systems with TRI-CLAMP® connection are NovAseptic® compatible
You can also get a further insight into the turndown function of WIKA process transmitters in the following video: