To ensure effective cleaning, it is critical to monitor the cleaning solution strength to ensure effective sanitising without wasting chemicals. Emerson claims its new toroidal conductivity sensor analyses the fluids used in the cleaning process and can speed up validation of a production process.
The Model 225-08, from Emerson subsidiary Rosemount Analytical, consists of a pair of wire-wound metal toroids overmoulded with a special grade of PEEK material that has been tested to the US Pharmacopeia's Class VI Biological Reactivity Tests standards and includes raw materials certification.
"With complete material traceability for the wetted materials, this sensor helps streamline the validation process for pharmaceutical companies wishing to incorporate the benefits of the new sensor into their manufacturing processes," it said.
Dave Anderson, pharmaceutical industry manager at Emerson Process Management, said that the toroidal conductivity sensor is suited for use in concentrations of acids, alkalis, and rinse waters, which are often, used in the pharmaceutical cleaning process.
The sensor can be easily integrated into Emerson's plant-wide digital systems, such as DeltaV, which is designed to provoide process control and predictive maintenance. It is part of Emerson's PlantWeb digital architecture.
"Being able to utilise these capabilities with minimal complexity in the validation process is a significant time and money saver for the customer," claimed Anderson.
In addition to measuring conductivity - which provides a direct correlation to concentration - the Model 225-08 also incorporates an integral temperature sensor.
This extension to the Rosemount range follows the introduction last year of the flow-through Model 245 toroidal conductivity sensor (pictured), used for testing flowing samples that may be viscous, fibrous or corrosive.