Rosemount 550PH single-use sensor for bioreactors

The anticipated rapid shift in the life sciences arena from traditional stainless steel bioreactors to disposable gamma-irradiated plastic bags used for single-batch processing has been delayed by the problem of finding efficient sensors for vital liquid analysis. Now Emerson has created single-use sensor technology that is designed to reduce risk in process quality and yield for biopharmaceutical manufacturers, as well as speed time to market through short start-up time, ease of use and low maintenance.

The Rosemount 550pH sensor is an electrochemical, fully disposable device with sensor stability of less than 0.005 pH change per day. Designed to deliver the same stability and performance as Emerson’s stainless steel sensors, it is said to provide up to 10 times enhanced stability compared to other sensors and requires no maintenance or calibration after initial one-point standardisation.

The sensor can be stored wet for immediate verification and standardisation, overcoming the problem of inserting a dry sensor into the single-use bioreactor only to discover it’s not working properly and having to discard the entire processing unit to start again. The sensor is packaged with its own calibration fluid, giving it a two-year shelf life. Wet, one-point standardisation before start-up means that the sensor’s characteristics and functionality are verified before any solutions or buffers are added to the bioreactor bag. It also means that the verified sensor begins measuring immediately after being introduced into the bag with no extensive wait time, thus reducing overall processing time and time to market.

The sensor operates with the Rosemount liquid analytical 56 transmitter, known for its intuitive ease of use. The sensor technologies are fully compatible with the Emerson DeltaV control system, which is widely used in the life sciences industry.