Demonstrating airflow integrity and VHP compatibility in automated settle plate monitoring

In aseptic manufacturing, environmental monitoring must provide reliable information without disturbing the conditions it is intended to verify. This is particularly relevant to passive microbial air monitoring in Grade A areas, where settle plates must be exposed under representative airflow conditions without disrupting first air.

Automated settle plate handling introduces important considerations around airflow integrity, exposure conditions and decontamination. Understanding how these factors behave during automated operation is essential when evaluating monitoring approaches for isolators, RABS and GMP-regulated cleanroom environments.

MBV AG investigated these considerations for the MAS-100 Libra® using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), smoke visualisation studies and vapourised hydrogen peroxide (VHP) decontamination testing. Together, these methods provide a basis for examining airflow behaviour, first-air exposure and decontamination performance.

In this application note you will find out:

• The principles of automated settle plate handling in isolators, RABS and GMP-regulated cleanroom environments
• How CFD and smoke visualisation were used to investigate airflow and first-air conditions during automated plate exposure
• The approach used to evaluate VHP decontamination performance
• The study methodology and findings relevant to automated passive microbial air monitoring in critical aseptic environments

Download the application note to review the study methodology and findings, and explore the evidence generated through CFD, smoke visualisation and VHP decontamination testing.