Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide VHP System for Decontamination

• Using steam is a common technique for sterilizing medical equipment, confined spaces, etc. However, not all equipment and surfaces can handle such high temperatures.
• Unlike very hot water vapor, hydrogen peroxide can vaporize at a much lower temperature. Therefore, it is suitable for decontaminating a wide range of heat sensitive equipment and environments without causing damage.
• Vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) poses few toxic hazards to the surface it’s treating and mitigates the potential for equipment damage due to excess heat. 

Using vaporized steam is a suitable method for sterilizing industrial equipment and confined spaces in health care, manufacturing, food and beverage production, and more. However, high temperatures from steam are not compatible with all materials and can pose other disadvantages as well. For example, delicate textiles or electronics in manufacturing processes, plastics and films in food and beverage production, sophisticated equipment in a medical setting or in laboratory research may not handle heat well.  As an alternative to using steam, vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) is a suitable alternative for sterilization.

Using Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP) to Sterilize and Decontaminate

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) offers many advantages for sterilizing and decontaminating including low toxicity, low temperature, and relatively high material compatibility. Furthermore, there are several methods for generating hydrogen peroxide vapor in use today. The most critical considerations when choosing a technology is the application / materials involved, efficacy, allotted time to decontaminate, and cost of ownership.

Applications that Benefit from VHP Systems

• packaging and containers for pharmaceuticals
• complete medical assemblies or devices with loose components for example: needles, gauze and swabs, suture materials, etc.
• combination delivery devices
• devices with electronics
• single-packaged assembled complex devices
• temperature sensitive devices
• self-administered drug delivery systems such as pre-filled syringes for example: insulin pumps, epipens, etc.

Using Controlled Evaporation Technology To Deliver Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide

A Controlled Evaporative Mixer (CEM) is the best tool to deliver vaporized hydrogen peroxide for sterilizing sensitive equipment and confined spaces. These systems rely on a CEM, which functions as both a vaporizer as well as a mixing chamber, and vaporizes hydrogen peroxide while mixing it with a carrier gas. Operators can control the resulting hydrogen peroxide vapor stream in a fine matter, thus delivering the exact amount to exactly where intended. Furthermore, the response time and precision of CEM-based vaporized hydrogen peroxide systems is far superior to most alternative technologies, thus yielding highly reliable and highly repeatable processes.

At Process Solutions Corp. we design and build Low Temperature Sterilization Systems in our ISO certified workshop. We leverage all the benefits of CEM-based technology, using the best components and methods available today. This, together with our top-notch engineers provides a vapor delivery system that is unmatched in the industry.

• Measures both the carrier gas as well as liquid flows to provide the highest accuracy available.
• This highly accurate flow control results in exact dosing of vapor for consistent sterilization results.
• User-friendly controls offer flexible and also adjustable control over vapor concentration, composition, flow rates, temperatures, and more.
• A color touch screen interface seamlessly allows users to view and operate the system – with remote access and control options available.
• Datalogging for easy historical record keeping and data trends to improve processes over time (OEE).
• In addition, security integrates into our vapor delivery systems with some individual functions requiring password entry for access.

Additional Features of this Low Temperature Sterilization System

• Our controller saves all parameters on a batch by batch basis for full compliance with record keeping requirements.
• All batch data can also transmit to a central monitoring system.
• Our controller allows setting up multiple recipes to match the equipment being sterilized.
• The controller features full alarming functionality to ensure operators are always aware of any variances.
• The controller can be remotely monitored via WiFi, hardwired ethernet, or over the internet.
• Modbus enabled for data logging and remote monitoring.