In the Spotlight November 2007

Stable transducers sense accurately

Gems Sensors & Controls (Plainville, CT) recently introduced its "3100" and "3200" series pressure transducers, which are designed to offer accuracy and stability throughout their lifetimes. The units sense pressures as high as 30,000 psi and have full-scale accuracy of 0.25%. In addition, the devices' temperature-compensation at-source technology enables high temperature stability.

3100 series pressure transducers (Gems Sensors & Controls)

The 3100 and 3200 series incorporate cost-effective, thin-film technology, which enables dual temperature- and pressure-sensing output. The technology also gives the transducers exceptional repeatability and a low long-term drift of 0.1% per year.

The transducers' design differs from that of other units because they are not oil-filled, a feature that

reduces the risk of contamination. The solid-state, stainless steel devices withstand various caustic media. In addition, the transducers' design enables them to meet high shock and vibration specifications.

Flexible software provides speed

The "ProcessCompliance 2.5" process management and control software from QUMAS (Florham Park, NJ) is a "fully configurable workflow engine" that "leads to deployments in a fraction of the time that the industry has come to expect," according to Warren Perry, the company's compliance advisor.

ProcessCompliance 2.5 software (QUMAS)

The software includes best-practice configurations for tasks such as event management, deviations, and corrective and preventive actions. Users can design electronic forms and workflows that match their current documents and procedures. This adaptability minimizes the changes entailed by adopting an electronic system.

Perry notes that the product has "a highly granular administration approach" because it can grant administrative functionality to individual users on a task-by-task basis.

In addition, Perry explains that the software lets users create "impact databases" of variables such as regulatory legislation and map them to sites and procedures within their systems. Thus, users know which sites are affected when the variables change.

Nanofiltration elements offer stability

The "SelRO" nanofiltration elements from Koch Membrane Systems (Wilmington, MA) withstand a pH range of 0–14 and temperatures as high as 158 °F. The membranes' chemical and thermal stability enable them to be used in pharmaceutical laboratory and production applications with stringent cleaning requirements.

SelRO nanofiltration elements (Koch Membrane Systems)

The SelRO membrane modules are available in tubular and spiral configurations. Solvent-stable versions of the membrane modules are available in a spiral configuration in pilot- and large-scale commercial sizes. The products can be used in processes to purify acid or base streams that contain low molecular-weight organics or heavy metals. The membranes also enable the concentration of pharmaceutical intermediates in aqueous solutions that may contain methanol, ethanol, acetone, or acetonitrile.

New Product Announcements may be sent to New Products Editor, Pharmaceutical Technology, 485 Route One South, Building F, First Floor, Iselin, NJ 08830, fax 732.596.0005, ptpress@advanstar.com