System reduces toxic emissions
A new contained docking system from Buck Valve in Germany claims to reduce by up to 100 fold dust exposure in the atmosphere when processing highly toxic pharmaceutical products. The BuckValve TC (Total Containment), aims to achieve levels below 100 ng/m3 making the working environment for operators safer than when using comparable valve technology.
Until now, split valve technology for docking systems is considered to achieve airborne concentrations of powder of 1-10 µg/m3 (i.e. 10-6). The new BuckValve TC is designed to achieve levels of 100 ng/m3 (i.e. 10-9) and, in tests, has achieved levels of just 20 ng/m3. It does this by incorporating an automatic washing system in an enclosed loop within the valve itself. This ensures that any dust adhering to the valve's outer surfaces is washed off before the valve is exposed to the atmosphere.
In tests last year using Riboflavin the valve achieved an average performance level of just 20 ng/m3, five times better than its design performance and significantly better than rival valve technology. The report also stated that this level was lower than that required for the product with the lowest OEL used at the company.