A rotary washing machine makes pharmaceutical cleanups easy and thorough. The success of any treatment or pharmaceutical preparation is based on the use of clean devices and systems. If you have a good understanding of how the washing machine works, then you can optimize the washing systems that you are using.
Everything you need to know about the washing machine
In this post, you’re going to learn about using a rotary washing machine. Again, you’ll find how various factors provide optimum conditions for the best performance of washing systems. Some of the best practices for cleaning pharmaceutical devices and systems include the use of specific detergents and charging accessories, as well as temperature chemistry and mechanical action.
Who needs a Rotary Machine?
In animal research or clinical or even pharmaceutical Industries and production sites, the rotary washing machine comes in handy. The devices are used to clean vials, ampules, steel syringes, punches, as well as lyophilizer trays. The secret to proper pharmaceutical tools is in understanding the process of the cleanup.
The Process of Cleaning Pharmaceutical Systems and Equipment
Industrial washing typically uses the TACT system. Temperature, Action, Chemistry, and Time are the parameters used to describe the cleaning process. The process happens in five phases as described below:
The pre-wash
In the first phase of pharmaceutical cleaning, rough scrubbing of stains takes place for about a minute. In this phase, cold, clean water can be used, ideally, tap water at around 21 degrees Celsius for common stains, or 65 degrees Celsius for glucose, or 82 degrees Celsius for oils and fats. The goal of the pre-wash is to remove all solid stains from the pharmaceutical systems.
Main washing
During the primary washing process, the residues and particles are treated with heat and sometimes a detergent. The detergent could be in the form of a universal solvent, especially in the case of fats and oils.
A temperature of around 60 degrees to 82 degrees Celsius is used depending on the kind of impurity. During this stage, scrubbers may be used, but; this depends on the brand of the machine. The process then runs for about 5 or 10 minutes.
Rinsing process
When the washing phase is complete, most of the impurities have already been removed. But, then there may be little residues and detergent stains that need removal. So, for about 1 or 2 minutes, water runs through the items.
The main aim is to remove the remaining residues. And, the temperatures may be lower than other phases and stages of the cleanup, unless there are any disinfection procedures in place.
Final Hot Wash
The items are then passed through the final rinsing stage. Here, pure water of about 80 degrees Celsius is sprayed on to the pharmaceutical items. The goal of this process is to prevent staining on glassware.
Then, for a minute or two, all the remaining debris is removed by the hot water. The heat of the water also speeds up the drying process.
Drying Process
The last page of the pharmaceutical cleaning process involves the removal of moisture from the system. Hot air at around 115 degrees Celsius flows inside and takes away all moisture with it.
Ideal conditions for optimum cleaning
As mentioned already, pharmaceutical cleaning is done in certain ideal conditions. These include Temperature, Action, Chemistry, and Time (TACT).
Nature of the soil
You need to adjust your washing machine two be in line with the nature of contamination. At least, you must find out whether the items have been soiled by oils, acids, blood, proteins, metal oxides, or sugars.
Other considerations that you might want to take are the kind of detergent that you’re going to use. Rough surfaces may be difficult to clean, so you may need to use scrubbers.
Temperature
Temperature determines how well pharmaceutical items can be washed. The amount of heat you use in the chamber depends mostly on the kind of dirt.
Proteins will undoubtedly require higher temperatures than other soils. Fats and oils require medium heat. But, mineral-based and sugar impurities require a slightly lower temperature.
One of the most important goals that a high temperature achieved during the cleaning process is melting stains and waxes. It also increases the heat to an optimum dissolving point for mineral-based impurities. Again, heat reduces the drying time.
Mechanical considerations
Pressure and scrubbing are also essential factors in the clinical cleaning of pharmaceutical systems. Some stains require physical removal, and this is where mechanics come into play. Some rotary machines have got scrubbers, which help to do this.
The majority of these machines have pumps that regulate pressure and recirculation of water inside the cleaning chambers. Water moving at high rates causes turbulence inside the chambers, and washes away residues and other dirt from the surface.
Chemistry
Chemical considerations of the medium in which you are washing the pharmaceutical items play a significant role in the cleanup process. The PH value of that medium, as well as the detergents or surfactant you use, will determine how clean you are surfaces can be.
The pH value of your medium can ignite hydrolysis, which breaks impurities into smaller soluble elements. This is ideal, especially when you are dealing with fats or oils or proteins. Some detergents also have surfactants, which increase the surface tension of the medium onto the surface of pharmaceutical items. This provides a large surface area for the water to act on the items.
Time
Time is a factor for everything, and especially when you are washing pharmaceutical items. The duration takes for a cleaning process determines how intense the cleanup can be. Every stage of the pharmaceutical cleaning process has it all assigned time limit, which gives the machine enough time to wash on the items.
Sterliline Rotary Machine Washers
The best pharmaceutical automatic washing machines are those that follow the ideal cleaning procedure. Advanced washers have pumps to increase pressure as well as temperature regulation thermostats. Again, the washing equipment supports a wide variety of clinical tools and accessories.
When you need the best pharmaceutical equipment, you must get it from a reputable manufacturer. Sterliline is one of the leading providers of pharmaceutical and clinical equipment.Apart from providing the best rotary washing machines, the company also deals in primary packaging equipment for clinical substances and pharmaceutical products. For several decades, they have continued to produce high-quality aseptic preparation equipment. Also, they manufacture high-quality accessories, machines, and robotics.