Feb 2, 2012
In a world where international trade is routine, American dairy processors are not allowed the same economic advantages as their sister plants in Europe. Factories producing identical products on two continents find that American dairy plants are required to operate with CIP devices that consume twice the amount of water to operate, and often take much longer to complete a CIP cycle. This creates a financial disadvantage for US dairy processors. American dairy processors adhere...
Jan 7, 2012
Is electropolishing actually necessary given that a 1.0 or greater Cr/Fe ratio can be achieved by passivation alone? The real question is, “Are we trying to only passivate the surface or are we trying to produce a corrosion resistant cleanable surface?” Chemical passivation will attain a chrome to iron ratio above 1.0 (Cr/Fe), without producing any measureable change in the finish characteristics of the surface. Electropolishing is designed to remove surface damage from mechanical polishing and produce a more cleanable, featureless, smooth surface finish. The need to electropolish a surface is dependent upon...
Dec 11, 2011
Is electropolishing actually necessary given that a 1.0 or greater Cr/Fe ratio can be achieved by passivation alone? The short answer? If a 1.0 Cr/Fe ratio is all you are trying to achieve, no it is not. Now for the long answer. First, the 1.0 or greater Cr/Fe ratio indicated in the ASME BPE standard is a minimal requirement. The best passive and corrosion-resistant surfaces will have a Cr/Fe ratio in excess of 1.5/1, again achievable by passivation alone. The pharmaceutical industry, in most cases, requires a 15-25Ra value typically achieved through a mechanical polishing procedure. It is this procedure that, in my opinion, causes many of the problems experienced today with the formation of the “gray residue” and Class 1 rouge that has plagued end users for years.
Sep 14, 2011
Do you need a manufacturer's 3-A certificate for equipment installed at your facility? The 3-A Sanitary Standards website is your portal for finding...
Sep 6, 2011
Single-use components and systems (commonly referred to as disposables) have traditionally been utilized in development labs and clinical supply facilities. These pre-packaged components or systems have been sterilized and validated and are disposed of after a single use.
Jul 5, 2011
Whether for a gasket, valve seat, or O-ring, the choice of elastomer might seem like a minor decision, but it can have a major impact. If a seal material is a poor fit for the application, you could run into any number of problems, from swelling, to peeling or cracking. Needless to say, these could be a big deal in a sanitary process. But how do you decide what elastomer to use?
