Westfalia Separator clarify aseptic processing

Westfalia Separator has produced an aseptic version of its proven CSE 80 clarifier, for handling extremely sensitive products in the pharmaceutical biotechnology and food industries

Westfalia Separator has produced an aseptic version of its proven CSE 80 clarifier.

Its features include very gentle handling of delicate cells.

Aseptic processes are becoming increasingly important for handling extremely sensitive products in the pharmaceutical biotechnology and food industries.

Examples include separating proteins from mammalian cells for pharmaceutical products, processing genetically-modified micro-organisms from fermentation broths, and producing starter cultures in food and pharmaceuticals.

A key step is the efficient and reliable separation of phases by centrifugal force.

As with the rest of the process, this must be done under sterile conditions.

Westfalia Separator has designed a steam-sterilisable (SIP) version of its CSE 80 clarifier specifically for this application.

The new machine has a capacity of 2,500 - 3,000 l/h (measured for E coli).

The continuous disc-type separator is suitable for clarifying suspensions by removing bacteria, cell fragments and yeasts under sterile conditions.

When cleaning is needed, the separator is first chemically cleaned by CIP.

Next it is sterilised with steam, after which it is blanketed with sterile air and allowed to cool until the next product run.

A key requirement for the separator is gentle product treatment, because damage to sensitive cells can considerably impair the efficiency of the entire process.

To prevent this, the CSE 80 is equipped with a patented "hydrohermetic" feed system, as are all Westfalia separators for similar applications.

The hydrohermetic feed enables the inflowing product to be pumped very gently into the rotating bowl, with no damage to delicate cell structures.

Another feature of the separator is a high level of automation to suit demanding processes.

Whether the machine operates on its own or under the control of a central system, it handles different recipes, ejection intervals and biomass yields, as well as the SIP and CIP phases, easily and reproducibly at the push of a button.

The company has also extended the CIP concept through a system known as WECIP, designed to provide "plug-and-play" solutions for CIP.

Two cleaning units the ParmaCIP PCA5 and the PCA10, provide tank volumes up to 500 for cleaning plants rated at up to 10,000 l/h.

Both units are skid-mounted and ready to connect to the process.

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