Equipment and system for defoaming sterile pipeline

Abstract

The invention discloses equipment and a system for defoaming a sterile pipeline. The defoaming equipment comprises a material processing module, a frame module and a sealing module, the material processing module and the sealing module are both connected with the frame module. The material processing module is used for removing bubbles in materials; the sealing module ensures that the materials are in a sterile environment, and microbial pollution is prevented; the frame module provides physical support and a structural foundation for the material processing module and the sealing module. According to the system, the defoaming equipment is utilized, bubbles can be quickly and effectively eliminated in a sterile environment, and the material treatment efficiency is improved, so that the product reject ratio caused by bubble and microorganism pollution is reduced, and the product quality is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of sterile preparations, and in particular to a sterile pipeline defoaming device and system. Background Art

[0002] In the process of aseptic preparation, it is crucial to ensure the purity and quality of the materials, but the materials often carry some gas, which will affect the precise control of the materials during the filling process. Traditional defoaming methods, such as penetrating centrifugal defoaming, are usually not suitable for aseptic production conditions due to the risk of contamination.

[0003] At present, the most common aseptic defoaming technology is to vacuum the material tank. This method reduces the pressure in the tank, causing bubbles to rise and escape from the liquid, thereby achieving the purpose of defoaming. However, this method has some limitations. First, the processing volume, viscosity and buffer volume of different materials vary greatly, which makes it difficult to unify the defoaming time and may take a long time to process. Secondly, long-term negative pressure conditions may cause some materials to volatilize, which not only affects the total amount of materials, but also may change the proportion of each ingredient in the formula, thereby affecting the quality and consistency of the final product.

[0004] Therefore, developing a defoaming equipment that can be operated quickly, efficiently and under sterile conditions is of great significance for improving production efficiency and product quality. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a sterile pipeline defoaming device and system, so that materials with different characteristics can quickly eliminate bubbles in a sterile environment, while meeting the sterility of the material configuration system and reducing material losses.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a sterile pipeline defoaming equipment and system, including a material processing module, a frame module and a sealing module; the material processing module and the sealing module are both connected to the frame module; the material processing module is used to remove bubbles in the material; the sealing module ensures that the material is in a sterile environment to prevent microbial contamination; the frame module provides physical support and structural basis for the material processing module and the sealing module.

[0007] Optionally, the material processing module includes an inlet and outlet assembly, a branch and confluence assembly, a material flow channel and an exhaust port; the inlet and outlet assembly is connected to the branch and confluence assembly; the material flow channel and the exhaust port are both connected to the branch and confluence assembly.

[0008] Optionally, the inlet and outlet components include a feed port and a discharge port; the flow branching and converging components include a diverter plate, a plurality of diverter tubes, a converging plate and a plurality of converging tubes; the feed port is connected to the diverter plate, and the outlet is connected to the converging plate; the diverter plate is provided with the plurality of diverter tubes, and the diverter plate is connected to one end of the material flow channel through the plurality of diverter tubes; the converging plate is provided with the plurality of converging tubes, and the converging plate is connected to the other end of the material flow channel through the plurality of converging tubes.

[0009] Optionally, the material processing module further includes a hydrophobic breathable membrane; the hydrophobic breathable membrane is arranged below the material flow channel.

[0010] Optionally, the frame module supports a plate, an upper shell, a lower shell and a cap nut; the cap nut fixes the upper shell and the lower shell together.

[0011] Optionally, the sealing module includes a diaphragm sealing gasket, a support plate sealing gasket and a shell sealing gasket; the diaphragm sealing gasket is arranged at both ends of the hydrophobic breathable membrane; the hydrophobic breathable membrane is arranged in the upper shell and is located above the support plate; the shell sealing gasket is arranged at the connection between the upper shell and the lower shell, and the support plate sealing gasket is arranged between the support plate and the lower shell; the exhaust port is arranged in the lower shell and is connected to the support plate.

[0012] A defoaming system for sterile pipelines comprises the above-mentioned defoaming equipment, and also comprises a batching tank and a metering pump; one end of the batching tank is connected to the defoaming equipment through a first pipeline, and the other end of the batching tank is connected to pure steam and cleaning water; the metering pump is arranged on the first pipeline and is also connected to a condensate drainage pipeline.

[0013] Optionally, it also includes a pressure gauge in front of the breathable membrane, a pressure gauge behind the breathable membrane and a gas respirator; the pressure gauge in front of the breathable membrane is arranged on the first pipe; the defoaming equipment is connected to the gas respirator through a second pipe, the condensate drainage pipe is arranged on the second pipe, and the gas respirator is also connected to the condensate drainage pipe, and the pressure gauge behind the breathable membrane is arranged on the second pipe.

[0014] Optionally, the defoaming device is also connected to the discharging / filling mechanism through a third pipeline.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0016] The defoaming equipment proposed in the present invention can quickly and effectively eliminate bubbles in a sterile environment, improve the efficiency of material processing, thereby reducing the product failure rate caused by bubbles and microbial contamination and improving product quality. Furthermore, the entire system reduces the production cycle time by optimizing the defoaming process, allowing the production line to process more materials faster, thereby increasing overall production. In addition, since the system operates in a sterile environment, the risk of microbial contamination is reduced, the safety and consistency of the product are ensured, and the quality standard of the product is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a sterile pipeline defoaming device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 It is a side schematic diagram of a sterile pipeline defoaming device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of a sterile pipeline defoaming system in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 A defoaming schematic diagram of a sterile pipeline defoaming system in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of cleaning of a sterile pipeline defoaming device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the sterilization of a sterile pipeline defoaming device in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure numbers: 1. Feed inlet; 2. Diverter plate; 3. Diverter pipe; 4. Material flow channel; 5. Diaphragm gasket; 6. Hydrophobic breathable membrane; 7. Support plate; 8. Shell gasket; 9. Support plate gasket; 10. Upper shell; 11. Lower shell; 12. Exhaust port; 13. Cap nut; 14. Manifold; 15. Manifold; 16. Discharge port; 17. Batching tank; 18. Metering pump; 19. Pressure gauge before breathable membrane; 20. Defoaming equipment; 21. Pressure gauge after breathable membrane; 22. Gas respirator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The following will be described in more detail with reference to the schematic diagram of a sterile pipeline defoaming device and system of the present invention, wherein the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown, and it should be understood that the present invention described herein can be modified by a person skilled in the art, and still achieve the beneficial effects of the present invention. Therefore, the following description should be understood as being widely known to a person skilled in the art, and not as a limitation of the present invention.

[0025] The present invention is described in more detail in the following paragraphs by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. The advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description. It should be noted that the accompanying drawings are in very simplified form and are not in exact proportions, and are only used to facilitate and clearly assist in illustrating the purpose of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a sterile pipeline defoaming device and system.

[0027] Specifically, Figure 1-2 As shown, the defoaming device 20 includes a material processing module, a frame module and a sealing module, and the material processing module and the sealing module are both connected to the frame module. The material processing module is used to remove bubbles in the material; the sealing module ensures that the material is in a sterile environment to prevent microbial contamination; the frame module provides physical support and structural foundation for the material processing module and the sealing module.

[0028] In this embodiment, the material processing module includes an inlet and outlet assembly, a branch and confluence assembly, a material flow channel 4 and an exhaust port 12. The inlet and outlet assembly is connected to the branch and confluence assembly; the material flow channel 4 and the exhaust port 12 are both connected to the branch and confluence assembly. The inlet and outlet assembly is responsible for the introduction and discharge of materials, and the branch and confluence assembly is responsible for the distribution and collection of materials. The material flow channel 4 serves as a channel for the material to flow inside the defoaming device 20, ensuring that the material is in full contact with the defoaming mechanism inside the device (such as the hydrophobic breathable membrane 6), thereby discharging bubbles in the material. In addition, the design of the material flow channel 4 takes into account the fluidity and processing requirements of different materials, ensuring that different materials can be processed smoothly through the device. The exhaust port 12 is used to discharge the gas generated during the defoaming process from the device to prevent the gas from interfering with the material processing process, which helps to maintain the pressure balance in the system.

[0029] In a specific embodiment, the feed inlet and outlet assembly includes a feed port 1 and a discharge port 16; the flow dividing and converging assembly includes a flow dividing plate 2, a plurality of flow dividing tubes 3, a flow converging plate 15 and a plurality of flow converging tubes 14; the feed port 1 is connected to the flow dividing plate 2, and the discharge port 16 is connected to the flow converging plate 15; the flow dividing plate 2 is provided with the plurality of flow dividing tubes 3, and the flow dividing plate 2 is connected to one end of the material flow channel 4 through the plurality of flow dividing tubes 3; the flow converging plate 15 is provided with the plurality of flow converging tubes 14, and the flow converging plate 15 is connected to the other end of the material flow channel 4 through the plurality of flow converging tubes 14. The flow dividing plate 2 and the plurality of flow dividing tubes 3 are used to distribute the material from the feed port 1 to different paths, while the flow converging plate 15 and the plurality of flow converging tubes 14 are used to collect the processed material to the discharge port 16.

[0030] The material processing module further comprises a hydrophobic breathable membrane, which is arranged below the material flow channel. The hydrophobic breathable membrane 6 allows gas to pass through but prevents liquid and microorganisms from passing through, and is used to exhaust gas and maintain a sterile environment.

[0031] In this embodiment, the frame module includes a support plate 7, an upper shell 10, a lower shell 11 and a cap nut 13. The upper shell 10 is used in conjunction with the lower shell 11 to form a closed space to protect the internal device from the external environment and also help maintain aseptic conditions. The cap nut 13 is used to fix the upper shell 10 and the lower shell 11. The support plate 7 provides a mounting platform for the material handling module and the sealing module to ensure that these modules can be stably installed in the device.

[0032] The sealing module includes a diaphragm gasket 5, a support plate gasket 9 and a shell gasket 8. The diaphragm gasket 5 is arranged at both ends of the hydrophobic breathable membrane 6 to provide sealing for the hydrophobic breathable membrane 6 to prevent material leakage and microbial contamination. The hydrophobic breathable membrane 6 is arranged in the upper shell 10 and is located above the support plate 7. The shell gasket 8 is arranged at the connection between the upper shell 10 and the lower shell 11, and the support plate gasket 9 is arranged between the support plate 7 and the lower shell 11 to prevent gas and microorganisms from leaking through the connection. The exhaust port 12 is arranged in the lower shell 11 and connected to the support plate 7 to facilitate the gas out of the device.

[0033] like Figure 3As shown, a defoaming system for sterile pipelines includes a defoaming device 20, a batching tank 17, a metering pump 18, a pressure gauge 19 before the breathable membrane, a pressure gauge 21 after the breathable membrane, and a gas respirator 22. The defoaming device 20 is used to receive the material from the batching tank 17 and perform defoaming treatment on it to ensure the smoothness and accuracy of the subsequent process flow. The pure steam is used to sterilize the entire system at high temperature, and the cleaning water is used to clean the entire system before or after production to remove residual materials and kill possible microorganisms. The metering pump 18 is used to accurately measure and transport materials to ensure that the materials enter the defoaming device 20 at a constant flow rate. The pressure gauge 19 before the breathable membrane is used to monitor the pressure before the breathable membrane. The operator can ensure that the pressure of the material before entering the breathable membrane meets the process requirements by real-time monitoring of the system pressure before the breathable membrane. The pressure gauge 21 behind the breathable membrane is used to monitor the pressure behind the breathable membrane. By monitoring the pressure change of the system after the material passes through the breathable membrane, it ensures the smooth flow of the material and discharges the unnecessary gas in the system. In addition, it can also timely detect potential blockages or other flow problems and make corresponding adjustments. The gas respirator 22 allows the gas to be discharged from the system while preventing external pollutants from entering. It can also balance the pressure inside and outside the system to ensure the smooth flow of gas.

[0034] Specifically, one end of the batching tank 17 is connected to the defoaming device 20 through a first pipe, and the other end of the batching tank 17 is connected to pure steam and cleaning water. The metering pump 18 is arranged on the first pipe and is also connected to the condensate drainage pipe.

[0035] The pressure gauge 19 before the breathable membrane is arranged on the first pipeline; the defoaming equipment 20 is connected to the gas respirator 22 through the second pipeline, the condensate drainage pipeline is arranged on the second pipeline, and the gas respirator is also connected to the condensate drainage pipeline, and the pressure gauge 21 after the breathable membrane is arranged on the second pipeline.

[0036] In addition, the defoaming device 20 is also connected to the discharging / filling mechanism through a third pipeline.

[0037] like Figure 4 As shown, the exhaust process of the system is as follows:

[0038] In the defoaming system of the sterile pipeline, the bubble-containing material flows out of the material tank and enters the defoaming device 20 through the first pipeline. In the defoaming device 20, the bubbles in the material are effectively discharged from the exhaust port 12 through the second channel under the control of the gas respirator 22 by utilizing the characteristics of the hydrophobic breathable membrane 6 and the pressure difference on both sides of the membrane. The exhausted material reaches the discharging / filling process through the discharge port 16 and the third channel. During the exhaust process, materials of different viscosities need to pass through exhaust channels of different lengths to ensure sufficient escape of bubbles. The exhaust process not only improves the fluidity and uniformity of the material, but also ensures the stability of the entire production process and the consistency of the final product quality.

[0039] like Figure 5 As shown, the cleaning process of the system is as follows:

[0040] First, the defoaming device 20 is removed from the system; after removal, the defoaming device 20 is thoroughly cleaned to remove all residual materials and bacteria to ensure that the defoaming device 20 is in a sterile state when it is reused. After cleaning, a new hydrophobic breathable membrane 6 is installed in the defoaming device 20.

[0041] Then, the cleaning water is connected to the metering pump 18 through a pipeline to ensure that all areas that need to be cleaned can be reached during the cleaning process.

[0042] Finally, the material pipe, the first pipe, the second pipe and the third pipe are cleaned by using the cleaning water, and the cleaning water is discharged through the drainage pipe.

[0043] like Figure 6 As shown, the sterilization process of the system is as follows:

[0044] After the cleaning process is completed, the cleaned defoaming device 20 is installed in the system. Pure steam is introduced into the system, and the cleaned pipes are sterilized by the pure steam. The steam condensed water generated during the sterilization process is discharged through the condensed water drainage pipe. Finally, the sterilization valve is closed after the sterilization process is completed.

[0045] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalents, the present invention is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A defoaming device for sterile pipes, characterized in that: It includes a material processing module, a frame module and a sealing module; the material processing module and the sealing module are both connected to the frame module; the material processing module is used to remove bubbles in the material; the sealing module ensures that the material is in a sterile environment to prevent microbial contamination; the frame module provides physical support and structural basis for the material processing module and the sealing module.

2. The defoaming device according to claim 1, characterized in that The material processing module includes an inlet and outlet assembly, a branch and confluence assembly, a material flow channel and an exhaust port; the inlet and outlet assembly is connected to the branch and confluence assembly; the material flow channel and the exhaust port are both connected to the branch and confluence assembly.

3. The defoaming device according to claim 2, characterized in that The inlet and outlet components include a feed port and a discharge port; the flow branching and converging components include a diverter plate, a plurality of diverter tubes, a converging plate and a plurality of converging tubes; the feed port is connected to the diverter plate, and the discharge port is connected to the converging plate; the diverter plate is provided with the plurality of diverter tubes, and the diverter plate is connected to one end of the material flow channel through the plurality of diverter tubes; the converging plate is provided with the plurality of converging tubes, and the converging plate is connected to the other end of the material flow channel through the plurality of converging tubes.

4. The defoaming device according to claim 2, characterized in that The material processing module further comprises a hydrophobic breathable membrane; the hydrophobic breathable membrane is arranged below the material flow channel.

5. The defoaming device according to claim 1, characterized in that The frame module supports a plate, an upper shell, a lower shell and a cap nut; the cap nut fixes and connects the upper shell and the lower shell.

6. The defoaming device according to claim 5, characterized in that The sealing module includes a diaphragm sealing gasket, a support plate sealing gasket and a shell sealing gasket; the diaphragm sealing gaskets are arranged at both ends of the hydrophobic breathable membrane, the hydrophobic breathable membrane is arranged in the upper shell and is located above the support plate; the shell sealing gasket is arranged at the connection between the upper shell and the lower shell, and the support plate sealing gasket is arranged between the support plate and the lower shell; the exhaust port is arranged in the lower shell and is connected to the support plate.

7. A defoaming system for sterile pipes, characterized in that: It includes the defoaming equipment as described in claims 1-6, and also includes a batching tank and a metering pump; one end of the batching tank is connected to the defoaming equipment through a first pipe, and the other end of the batching tank is connected to pure steam and cleaning water; the metering pump is arranged on the first pipe and is also connected to the condensate drainage pipe.

8. The defoaming system according to claim 7, characterized in that It also includes a pressure gauge in front of the breathable membrane, a pressure gauge behind the breathable membrane and a gas respirator; the pressure gauge in front of the breathable membrane is arranged on the first pipeline; the defoaming equipment is connected to the gas respirator through a second pipeline, the condensate drainage pipeline is arranged on the second pipeline, and the gas respirator is also connected to the condensate drainage pipeline, and the pressure gauge behind the breathable membrane is arranged on the second pipeline.

9. The defoaming system according to claim 8, characterized in that The defoaming device is also connected to the discharging / filling mechanism through a third pipeline.

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