The past 10 years have shown a trend towards improved containment requirements within the pharmaceutical, fine chemical and semi-conductor industries as products have become increasingly potent, with operator safety and product protection a prime concern. Industry is now driving the progression of containment transfer valves to address further processing issues. Many products are oxygen sensitive at various stages of production and require process equipment which can achieve and maintain vacuum sealed conditions. With reactor vessels capable of achieving varying pressures and temperatures, it is critical that the method of product transfer can also maintain these conditions.

The PSL ChargePoint split butterfly valve, already widely used for containment operations, has recently undergone helium leak rate testing to demonstrate its vacuum capabilities. Independent results show that the valve can attain a highly effective vacuum seal with leak rates in the range of 10 -9 cc/sec, comparable to high specification vacuum compression fittings. These results clearly demonstrate that the PSL ChargePoint offers a secure solution for many oxygen sensitive process conditions whilst maintaining the necessary containment for transfer of potent compounds.

This capability of handling oxygen sensitive materials adds yet another facet to the PSL ChargePoint containment system, making it a truly versatile solution.

Click here to see the test procedure and results in detail