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The Vacuum Degassing Story

"It is all about time"

Existing Degassing 

Traditional Post Sterilisation chamber degassing is performed in either a degassing cell (tunnel in line with chamber) or room (typically shared room with often pallets on racking). Both of these options run at atmospheric pressure using temperature (40℃ to 55℃) as the method of driving EO from the product. For Palletised and packed product loads this method can be very slow to remove EO and is typically an exponential decay in the product residual level.

Shallow Vacuum Degassing

We performed residual test trials for one of our clients to see if a better method could be found. We tested both the traditional cell, room and shallow vacuum pulsing (in the sterilisation chamber).

The results indicated that the cell as expected was more effective than the room with increased airflow and stable even temperature. The shallow vacuum testing was however a great improvement. The typical exponential decay curve had straightened out and the residual removal over time had halved when compared to the cell. The shallow vacuums then allowed us to then design a simple shallow vacuum vessel whilst maintaining a close cost ratio with the sterilisation chamber.

We have since installed twelve of our vacuum degassing cells into our clients facility. The final design was much improved when compared to the test sterilisation chamber as we were able to continuously draw air through the chamber (continuous suction recipe option) and had airflow distribution and flow levels far greater than our sterilisation chamber.

Shallow Vacuum Degassing Benefits

  • Reduced residual removal time
  • Sealed cell on power OFF or service failure
  • Reduced (vacuum exhaust) flow to the Catalytic Converter greatly reducing air volume restrictions on the Abator.

Our Unique Design:
Modular Our vacuum cell design allows for numerous size combinations of width and length. this means that we can offer numerous pallet volumes from our existing single design saving the client time and cost.
Flexible Customized Approach Our team can also design bespoke cell sizes where part pallet or no pallets are sterilised. Our existing design utilises high end off the shelf components but we are happy to investigate other components in line with client standards or requirements.
Integrated Circulation Our recirculation system can be mounted within the cell giving higher volume circulation and stable heat differential across the cell volume.
Continuous Suction Our control system recipe allows for "continuous suction" to be selected. Continuous suction runs the vacuum pump continuously through the cycle with the differential vacuum levels being achieved by varying the analogue vacuum and inlet valves. This method allows for a continuous exhaust from the cell throughout the degassing cycle.
Control & Interface choices (stand alone or integrated with existing We control our cell via PLC. Interface for recipe and reporting integration purposes can be by existing client SCADA or stand alone SCADA/HMI supplied by Prism Industrial Controls. Our long experience with control and SCADA systems means that we can offer either integration or stand alone options to our clients.
Compliance The vacuum degassing cell process has been assessed to identify any EU Directives, regulations and standards. The vacuum degassing cell was then designed, assessed and tested against the identified directives:
  • EN ISO 12100: Safety of Machinery - General Principles for Design - Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction
  • EN ISO 13849-1: Safety of Machinery - Safety-related Parts of Control Systems - Part 1: General Principles for Design
  • EN 60204-1:2: Safety Of Machinery - Electrical Equipment Of Machines - Part 1: General Requirements
  • EN 61000-3- 2: Electromagnetic Compatibility (emc) - Part 3-2: Limits - Limits for Harmonic Current Emissions (equipment Input Current <= 16 a per Phase
  • EN 61000-6-1: Electromagnetic Compatibility (emc) - Part 6-1: Generic Standards - Immunity for Residential, Commercial and Light-industrial Environments
  • ATEX Directives: 2014/34/EU Equipment intended for use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres (Zone 2). This refers to specific VDC door equipment only, located in Zone 2 atmosphere

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For more information on these or any of our services and products, our team will be happy to answer your questions


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