Engineering Solutions for High Purity Systems

February 8, 2012

Problem:  Large Biopharmaceutical Company required modification to existing Chromatography Feed (Product Hold) System.  The challenge was to design (3) 3-tank modules (arrays) to accommodate any combination of (5) 8,000L Vessels and (3) 5,500L vessels of differing diameters while maintaining identical points of connection for each vessel in complex piping arrangements.  This design feature would allow the customer tremendous production flexibility depending on the campaign.

Solution:  Holland Engineers developed a removable decking insert to accommodate any vessel diameter per position on each array.  The

Module Deck Showing the Inserts That Will Accommodate Multiple Vessel Sizes

sections were designed to be easily and safely removed and reinstalled for reconfiguration.  Vessel reconfiguration became efficient as well due to the innovative piping design making re-connections quick and easy.  This design feature worked so well that it was duplicated twice after the first installation.

Problem:  Bio-fuel customer UF Module design did not facilitate vertical installation due to the lack of lifting and support points.  As a result, the (8) Module UF System could not meet the space requirements.  Further, the equipment was to be installed on a mezzanine 30 feet above grade in an outdoor pilot facility which made handling for installation and maintenance of the modules challenging.   As the equipment was on the schedule critical path, a solution was required quickly.

Solution:  Holland Engineers worked with the module manufacturer to effectively install the membranes vertically and maintain piping pitch,

UF Module with Verticle Membranes

proper support, and accessibility to the modules.  Holland Engineers further designed an innovative, inexpensive lifting device to safely handle each module for installation and periodic membrane replacement.  It is estimated that this solution saved at least a day of expensive crane rental and rigging while solving the space constraint issue and maintaining the project schedule.

 

 

 

 


Call Holland for the Hard Stuff

January 28, 2012

In dealing with many pharmaceutical companies, we are asked if we know where to find specialty items to aid in manufacturing of product.

Custom Stainless Steel Pliers

Recently, Holland was asked to fabricate a pair of reverse acting, spring loaded pliers that could be used inside an isolator to easily moved filled vials.  The pliers had to be manufactured from stainless steel and had to be able to be used in an isolator with the use of gloves.  After an extensive search by our client, we were asked to fabricate this device.

 

The Holland Fabrication Group quickly came up with an acceptable design.  We fabricated a set of reverse acting, spring loaded, stainless steel pliers with a custom hook device, with removable silicone inserts so that the pliers will not scratch or damage the vials while they are being moved from one piece of equipment to another.  The pliers were developed to be able to remove the vial from a rack and also from a table top.  The “hook” design was has a multiple bend radius so that this is possible with one tool.

 

From concept, to quote, to drawing, to a final product, the entire project lasted two weeks.  Currently, these pliers are being trialed by several people in the production facility and there will be several more sets of pliers that will be fabricated.  This set of pliers will be used on 13mm vials and there are discussions on developing similar pliers for other size vials, syringes, and ampoules.


DO YOU HAVE HYGIENIC EQUIPMENT PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS?

October 12, 2011

Holland has been designing and building custom processing systems and skid’s for over 40 years.

Whether you need a simple Pump and Tank Wash Skid for cleaning or a turnkey Pharmaceutical Process System, to a basic Pump Cart, Holland has the Design Engineering Capability to help Execute your project smoothly.

With our :

  • Process Knowledge,
  • Ease of Doing Business
  • Quality

Design/Engineering Capabilities

  • P&ID Generation/modification
  • Process Design (3D Model)
  • Project Management
  • Factory Acceptance testing

 Manufacturing Capability

 Welding

  • Machining
  • Metal forming
  • Polishing

 

ASK US HOW WE CAN HELP EXECUTE YOUR PROCESS EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS.  CALL US AT 800-800-8464.


Holland Custom Valve Modification Saves Customer Time and Money

September 9, 2011

Recently a large Food Manufacturer contacted the Holland sales representative to replace some obsolete and improperly performing actuated ball

A Sample of a Holland Custom Valve Modification

valves which were being used for throttling/ shut off service in a dispensing production line process. The product was a Sugar Icing used in cookie production

The existing valves were over 20 years old, were jacketed and had special end connections.  Additionally the valves were in a very tight space and finding a valve with the same dimensions for a drop in replacement was not an option available.  The customer had a short window of time to replace the valves as the production line is running 6 days a week and 2 shifts per day.

The customer was concerned with both turnaround time and cleanliness in the production area.  Having a contractor do the modifications on site to modify and install the new valves could be a problem.

The Holland representative suggested pre-purchasing valves and modifying at Holland with the correct end connections and face to face dimensions to accommodate the existing piping and the customer maintenance dept could do the valve install on the regularly scheduled down day during the week.  The customer liked the Holland solution and placed the order for the valves and modifications.   Holland ordered the valves.  The Holland rep measured all the piping face dimensions on the old valves.

Holland’s sanitary stainless steel fabrication shop did all the fabrication to modify the valves ahead of time and they  were dropped in during a short shutdown.  The customer was retrofitted with new valves, up and running without any impact on the production schedule and at a significant cost savings over field piping.

Let Holland take a look at your difficult fabrication challenges.


Holland Helps Pharmaceutical Customer Hit Expansion Deadline With Diaphragm Valve Fabrications

November 30, 2009

ITT GMP Diaphragm Valve Assembly

 One Holland Applied Technologies pharmaceutical customers were on a fast track to complete a sterile suite expansion. The customer had overlooked a job change, which included the addition of several GMP diaphragm valves with a 15-ra Electro polished finish and had 4 days to the scheduled commissioning date on the job.  The 4 days would require receiving the valves, inspection and passivation prior to installation and start up. 

The customer being familiar with Holland’s extensive inventory inquired of the stock status on this particular valve configuration.  Given all the possible variations the valve was not an off the shelf item anywhere and the factory lead-time was 2 weeks out. 

The sales representative suggested Holland valve fabrications from in stock two-way valves with a 15-ra EP max surface finish. The customer,  being familiar with Holland’s quality fabrications,  was excited to have this option available. 

The order was placed and valves pulled from in house stock ITT diaphragm valves to be ported and mechanically polished in house at Holland. The ITT valves were electropolished,  passivated and delivered to the customer within four days.

Inquire how Holland can help you with custom fabrications.


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