PLANT MANAGEMENT
Knick: cCare for pharma system I
’m sitting in the car right now and can give you 3 minutes. What’s your pitch?” “Are you aware that manual pH sensor calibration
poses one of the biggest risks around batch loss? Do you know that you can counter that with an automation solution?”. This was the conversation that catalysed the successful partnership between Knick and a major pharmaceutical company, a partnership that resulted in a product called cCare for Pharma system, developed in response to the rigorous requirements in the pharmaceutical sector.
AUTOMATIC PH MEASUREMENT OPTIMISES EFFICIENCY In many industrial processes, the pH value is one of the most important control parameters, but these measuring points also require intensive maintenance. In many processes and media, sensors must be
cleaned and calibrated several times a day. This minimises sensor drift and delivers measured values that can be trusted. Process conditions in the
pharmaceutical industry are very different from those in the chemical industry. The process media are typically less aggressive, but the equipment must meet rigorous requirements in terms of cleanability and sterility. In addition, most biopharmaceutical processes require batch rather than continuous production. They also involve specifications aimed at ensuring that the measurement technology used during the process function flawlessly. This is accomplished through pre-batch calibration and adjustment and post-batch verification, all of which must be documented. The time required to do this,
in an era characterised by staff shortages, possible transmission
errors in the case of manual work steps, and the subsequent mistake of rejecting batches, makes it essential to consider optimisation activities supported by automation.
PH ACCURACY FOR CELL CULTURES AND FERMENTATION The upstream process of cell cultures is complex, expensive, and time- consuming. The parameters of pH and dissolved oxygen must be strictly controlled and monitored to ensure compliance with optimal cell growth conditions and maximum product quality and quantity. During the process, outside interventions are not permitted since the risk of contamination is too great and would result in the loss of the batch. This makes it even more important to have reliable pH values available at all times. However, many companies still calibrate pH sensors manually. The process is very time-consuming,
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