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Topical Paper: Modeling Transport Processes in Sterilization‐in‐Place
Author(s) -
Noble Paul T.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
biotechnology progress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.572
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1520-6033
pISSN - 8756-7938
DOI - 10.1021/bp00016a003
Subject(s) - sterilization (economics) , piping , environmental science , waste management , nuclear engineering , process engineering , materials science , petroleum engineering , environmental engineering , engineering , monetary economics , economics , foreign exchange market , foreign exchange
SIP (sterilization‐in‐place) of equipment using saturated steam is limited by transport processes that restrict the distribution of sterilizing steam. The following are two crucial operations: the removal of air prior to sterilization, and the removal of condensate during the sterilization. Using simple model systems of pipes and tanks, characteristic operating parameters were examined and steady‐state models were analyzed. The results were used to evaluate design aspects of SIP, including heat insulation, spacing of steam traps, sloping of lines, steam velocities and consumption, placement of temperature sensors, and scale factors in piping. A more reliable SIP design is achievable by insulating equipment, spacing steam traps to limit condensate buildup, providing an effective air removal operation, and providing reliable, high‐quality steam.