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The electrode housing is designed to hold and protect the PH electrode while inserting it into the bioprocess vessel. There are various types of side entry ports and different groups of housings to fit each port type. The size and make of the port must first be identified in order to narrow the selection process.
The two most common types of entry ports found on pilot and production scale vessels are as follows:
STANDARD 25 mm SIDE PORT
Found on nearly all vessels other than those manufactured by Sartorius. The port bore is 25 mm i.d. and the housing o-ring seals to the inside of the port.
The housing is then secured to the port by a threaded retainer ring. The port is installed at a 15° angle for better electrode performance. See the cutaway drawing to the right for typical installation dimensions.
Sartorius 25 mm SAFETY SIDE PORT
Found exclusively on vessels manufactured by Sartorius. This style of port is longer than the standard port and needs a special housing to fit correctly. (Note: The port opening on newer tanks is 30 mm i.d. and the port narrows down to 25 mm i.d. at the critical point where the housing o-ring seals to the inside wall of the port.) Again, the port is installed at a 15° angle for better electrode performance. See the cutaway drawing to the right for typical installation dimensions.
Additional sanitary installations
In addition to the standard types of entry ports featured above, there are other options for sanitary ports. These electrode housings are designed to hold and protect the pH electrode while insertion into sanitary pipe tees and NovAseptic’s sanitary side ports. Both entry ports require a unique housing with a narrow front end. Specifically housing models 357 and 367.
NOVASEPTIC SANITARY SIDE PORT
Sometimes found on vessels in biotech facilities, this style of port is flush to the vessel wall to minimize crevices. The unique design of the port offers increased drainage around the port and more effective Clean-In-Place (CIP).
The NA-connect® port from NovAseptic is compatible with a special sanitary housing, which is secured to the port by a clamp. The port is installed at a 15° angle to allow for proper electrode performance. See the cutaway drawing to the right for typical installation dimensions.
SANITARY PIPE TEE
In-line measurements in a sanitary pipe tee require sanitary flange housings. Since the sanitary gasket is the primary seal, no o-ring is required on the outer portion of the housing.
Commonly used in both the food and pharmaceutical industries, the Model 357 and 367 housings are suitable for sanitary pipe systems with CIP requirements. These housings are most often found in downstream processes such as purification.
The housings are secured into a sanitary pipe tee with a standard flange clamp sealed with a flange gasket. The pH electrode is then inserted into the housing for on-line measurements. When using a standard sanitary tee, the sensor is positioned such that the tip of the sensor is in the middle of the process flow.