Online cleaning for better hygiene
The PAT unit device was developed by the EU-funded PATOV project. It is based on a continuous sampling device combined with a new and innovative laser-based infrared absorption technique. This allows the continuous checking of the cleaning cycle of pharmaceutical equipment such as tanks and pipe systems. Moreover, this can be integrated with existing equipment in accordance with European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group standards.PATOV represents a major shift from sporadic laboratory tests for cleanliness towards continuous in situ verification for every cleaning cycle by pharmaceutical industry end users. Furthermore, the technology corresponds with future verification techniques for the pharmaceutical industry, as recommended by the European Food Safety Authority and the United States Food and Drug Administration.Integrating PAT into the production process will help the pharmaceutical and food processing industries to increase product safety through reduced contamination from compromised cleaning cycles. In addition, it will also reduce production costs, water consumption and problems with wastewater.Project results can be applied to existing CIP technology and cleaning regimes in the pharmaceutical industry. They can also be part of a fully integrated CIP solution developed by SME members of the consortium as an addition or replacement to in situ cleaning procedures.The cleaning unit is suitable for those industries that insist on high standards of hygiene. This will improve product quality in the food processing, breweries, dairy and pharmaceutical industry, with particular benefits for the public. It also has environmental benefits through the reduction of water and energy consumption and the optimisation of cleaning cycle time.
Keywords
Process analytical technology, infrared absorption, cleaning cycle, pharmaceutical industry, food processing, hygiene
