The Exorcist: How Flexible Isolators Ban Danger for Plant, Product and Personnel

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Looking at the Greener Side

Other conveniences such as easy disposal and recycling of flexible canopies are now possible, as there are appropriate recycling and energy recovery models for plastic materials. Assumed that there are no issues with the materials being produced inside, this option can be taken rather than the old practice of incineration.

For existing facilities flexible isolators have the benefit of being easily retrofitable and have proved to be customizable solutions for the transition from pilot programs to full production. This way of containment is therefore the ideal advice to improve profitability by reducing capital expense and cleaning costs as well as reducing the time to bring the final product to the market.

However, there are also some down sides for flexible isolators for aseptic processing. During sterilization cycles with hydrogen peroxide, flexible systems tend to become brittle and can crack as well as the potential issue with regards to surface absorption and leaching. Hence, flexible systems are not recommended for continuous use with hydrogen peroxide.

Estimating Risks for Plant, Product and Personnel

Although technology is constantly progressing and high containment levels are being achieved by flexible systems (OEB 5), some substances may attack the plastic films along with the cleaning material issues. One must also bear in mind, to what extent product and operator protection are preserved during a system failure? How about issues of temperature tolerance, tear resistance, static buildup or the incompatibility with respect to any vacuum or pressure applications? These are all questions that need to be considered when designing flexible systems and there suitability to the task.

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