HSE approves Hosokawa waste collection system

A system designed to minimise the release of airborne contaminants during waste collection in the production of vaccines has been approved by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) experts.

Developed by Hosokawa Micron, in conjunction with a multi-national biotechnology company, the waste containment and collection system requires minimum operator intervention while maintaining low personnel exposure levels to potential airborne contamination.

The liquid waste is pumped to a double outlet inside a laminar airflow booth.

In turn, each outlet is connected through a series of safety interlocks to an empty IBC, which is manually placed on a weigh scale and connected by an airtight seal.

A preset volume of waste is pumped into the IBC with the weigh scales acting as a safety back-up, switching off the flow and ensuring that overfill is prevented.

Safety sensors prevent the flow of waste without the presence and connection of an unfilled IBC.

Air displaced from the IBC is drawn off by an extraction system and is passed through a HEPA filter to prevent airborne contamination.

Once the IBC is filled and the flow of waste stopped, spray balls wash the chute and outlet valve with water to ensure that no waste product contaminates the top of the IBC on seal removal.

The operator is then able to break the seal on the outlet of the IBC in order to fit the sealing cap.

At this point, a localised extraction system removes the air within the area of operation, providing a further safeguard for operators against contamination by any airborne substances.

The Hosokawa Micron waste system offers a safe handling solution for vaccine producers and can be customised to suit individual production requirements.

Back to top