Containment Isolator enables mixing of toxic/potent products.
Press Release Summary:
Suited for use with stainless steel Microfluidizer® fluid processors, hermetically sealed containment isolator contains toxic submicron particles and droplets during high-pressure processing and helps companies comply with OSHA 1910.119 regulations. Isolator offers negative-pressure, HEPA filtration; 12 x 12 in. swing door; 2 flip up style windows; and glove ports with Hypalon® chemical-resistant gloves. Product also incorporates Microfluidizer processor's controls.
Original Press Release:
New Containment Isolator Now Available For Microfluidics(TM) Microfluidizer® Fluid Processors
Absolute Control Systems, Inc. Collaborates with Microfluidics(TM) to Contain Toxic Submicron Particles and Droplets During High-Pressure Processing.
Pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturers seeking to comply with OSHA 1910.119 regulations for processing highly hazardous chemicals can now breathe easier. Microfluidics(TM), a division of MFIC Corporation (Newton, MA), has collaborated with Absolute Control Systems, Inc. (Golden, CO) to design a containment isolator for its stainless steel Microfluidizer® fluid processors.
Microfluidizer® processors use pressures up to 40,000 psi to process highly stable, immiscible liquid emulsions and solids in liquid suspensions. Using the highest shear rates available, the processors uniformly reduce particles and droplets to submicron sizes in their patented, fixed-geometry interaction chambers.
While operating at high pressures, there is the potential for the Microfluidizer® processor to leak at the joints, aerosolizing the hazardous product. Therefore some type of containment is required for operator and environmental protection. The new, hermetically sealed, stainless steel containment isolator fully encloses the processor's high-pressure processing area, or upper half of the unit, so it is safer for mixing toxic or potent products.
The containment isolator features negative-pressure, HEPA filtration for inlet and exhaust to prevent any released material from becoming airborne into the operator's breathing zone. Filters are placed in a housing that allows operators to safely exchange them without exposure to the trapped toxic particles.
A 12" x 12" swing door allows access to the isolator interior. Two large "flip up" style windows are provided, one on each side of the isolator for access. These windows seal tightly during operation, yet offer full access to the processor when the containment area is clean. Glove ports are mounted in the windows and Hypalon® chemical resistant gloves are provided.
Absolute Control Systems also integrates Microfluidizer® processor's controls into the isolator, replacing gauge panels and adding fittings and drain components so the system can be washed down inside. Available options include motor starter and service disconnect for installation, an in-place self-leak test based on pressure delay, and spray covers for HEPA filters during cleaning and pressure delay testing. Microfluidizer® processors offer several steam-in-place sterility options and an Ultra-Clean-in-Place option that thoroughly flushes the processing areas between product runs. Cleaning requires no disassembly.
The containment isolators are available for all Microfluidizer® processor models, which are guaranteed scalable from laboratory to production level. Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) is performed at the Microfluidics(TM) manufacturing facilities and at Absolute Controls to assure reliable performance.
Visit www.microfluidicscorp.com, E-mail mixinginfo@mfics.com, or contact Microfluidics(TM) at 800.370.5452 to learn more about how you can apply the Microfluidizer® processors and containment isolators to your applications. Free laboratory batch testing is available upon request.
