Whether for quality control for incoming or outgoing products, laboratory tests or further areas of quality control: HECHT's innovative Single-Use Sampling System (EPS) enables sampling of highly active or hazardous substances from small bins without extensive protection or cleaning measures.
By using a flexible protective foil in combination with a connection adapter, operator and product protection are guaranteed. The EPS combines Containment, flexibility and efficiency and is therefore an important element of quality management in most companies.
Safety and Quality
- Primary Containment due to protective foil
- Quick and easy sampling without special protective equipment
- Contamination-free sampling
- High-Containment: OEL: up to 1µg/m³ (OEB 5) -in laminar flow cabins: up to 200 ng/m³(OEB 6)
Flexibility
- Adaptable to different kinds of bins and applications (customizable)
- Process control adaptable to OEL-requirements
- Inertisation
- Wall mounting, mobile version or permanent installation of the EPS possible
Cost saving
- Low investment and maintenance costs
- Hardly any cleaning costs
- No effort for cleaning validation
- Short changeover times
The system is divided into a fixed permanent element and a flexible part. The permanent part consists of a stainless steel frame which includes the working surface with dedusting unit as well as the intake for the single-use isolator.
The control unit is customized according to the OEL-requirements and can be operated in a simple underpressure mode with or without inertisation.
The EWI can handle different process methods and there are various ports available for different customized manipulations like magnetic stirrers, weighing systems, feedthroughs for power and air supply etc. Depending on the process requirements, any number of loading and unloading ports as well as gloves can be integrated. All versions are built in GMP-compliant design.
The sampling process takes place inside the foil isolator via gloves. The single-use foil is mounted into the fixed frame and all interfaces will be connected. A pneumatic seal or a vacuum plate for stabilisation of the isolator are activated and the system is ready for operation. Now the bin with the product to be sampled is placed under the EPS and the outer liner is attached to the connection port by means of a double O-Ring.
The operator opens the foil system with the integrated gloves through the inner liner, removes the sample with a sampling vessel that is placed in the sampling hose. Afterwards the hose is separated with a double tie-off and cut-off of the foil, whereby both the isolator and the bin stay completely closed.
As soon as the sampling process is finished, the inner liner is closed and pushed back into the bin, whereas the outer liner will be double tied off and cut in between. After deactivation of the pneumatic seal, the foil isolator can be removed and a new cycle can be started without delay. After the product handling is finished, the isolator can easily be disposed without any further action in terms of cleaning or decontamination. After the product handling is finished, the isolator can easily be disposed without any further action in terms of cleaning or decontamination.
The EPS is especially used for sampling of bulk solids from small bins or for processes that demand handling with 2 liners. Due to its small size the complete station can be transported with a hand pallet truck or with roller feet. Only electronic supply (230 V) and compressed air supply (1 bar) are necessary.
