PIV Measurements around filling equipment

Understanding flow behaviour within and around filling equipment in the pharmaceutical industry is crucial.

Clean rooms and restricted access barrier systems are regulated and tested following standard procedures (i.E. DIN EN ISO 14644-3:2005 „Reinräume und zugehörige Reinraumbereiche – Prüfverfahren“).

In an on-site case study, feasibility of PIV Measurements as a valid (replacement) procedure was tested. Results showed clear improvement compared to the conventional methods. Especially the ability to resolve small scale vortices, while still observing flow fields in the scale of meters gave new insights never observed before. Possible, flow-induced contamination sources around content-sensitive vials could be identified.