An HPAPI containment station combining three levels of protection for safe drum handling.
How can HPAPI containment during dispensing operations be improved while protecting operators and preventing contamination of the drum’s external surfaces?
CSV Containment addresses this challenge with a new rigid isolator configuration that combines its patented DIT® – Drum Iris Technology with a pneumatic secondary bag retention system. The result is a solution incorporating three protective elements at the interface between the drum and the working chamber.
Three Levels of Protection for HPAPI Containment.
At the heart of the station is the integration of the DIT® system with a removable inflatable ring. To facilitate drum insertion and removal through the double elastic barrier, the inflatable ring is installed and removed only when needed.
In this configuration, an additional device is incorporated alongside the two iris seals, specifically designed to securely hold the secondary bag in place during dispensing operations.
The inflatable ring provides additional protection during a particularly critical stage: drum removal. By keeping the bag securely in position, the ring reduces the risk of potentially contaminated material coming into contact with the drum’s external surfaces as it is withdrawn.
The combination of the double iris system and the inflatable ring therefore provides three levels of protection, designed to make the handling of highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients safer and more controlled.
HPAPI Containment in a Single Negative-Pressure Chamber.
The integration of this additional safety feature enables a configuration with a spacious working chamber, without the need for a separate pre-chamber.The generous internal space provides operators with greater accessibility during powder handling operations, while keeping the process within a contained environment.
The chamber also operates under negative pressure, providing a complementary containment measure alongside the mechanical barriers. The station also features a bag-out system for the controlled removal of materials and a connection to the reactor for product transfer to subsequent processing stages.
Automated Drum Handling and Process Safety.
The dispensing system is equipped with a pneumatic drum lifting column, based on an approach already adopted by CSV Containment in other automated drum handling applications. The column positions the drum at the DIT® interface, integrating drum movement and docking operations with the containment station.
A dedicated control panel manages the drum handling functions, supporting the different positioning stages and reducing the need for manual intervention during movement. Automation thus contributes to both operational safety and process repeatability.
A Tailor-Made Solution for HPAPI Containment.
This new application demonstrates how DIT® technology can be further customized to meet the requirements of high-containment pharmaceutical processes.
The addition of the inflatable ring goes beyond simply securing the bag: it provides specific protection against the risk of drum contamination during removal.
The double iris system, inflatable ring, negative pressure and automation work together to improve safety during dispensing and transfer operations involving highly potent powders. With this approach, CSV Containment continues to develop integrated, tailor-made solutions to protect operators, products and the working environment.
CSV Containment provides tailor-made solutions for pharmaceutical and fine chemical sectors in terms of containment. For more info: containment@csv-ls.com
