The Lighthouse Probe™ is a process analyser enabling PAT

  • On-line and in-line analysis becomes more important today. This importance is increasing after introduction of the FDA‘s PAT initiative.
  • Some of the in-on-line analysis methods are based on optical measurements. The use of these optical methods is based on analysing the process through a window
  • Window fouling is a well known phenomenon, which is often happening, leading to wrong analysis results or unwanted stops of the process.
  • This is a big problem for methods using optical detection
  • To ensure an optical detection without any problems during the process the Lighthouse Probe™ was developed

The Lighthouse Probe™ system consists of 5 elements:

  1. Probe with optics
  2. Spectrometer
  3. Software (data acquisition and analysis software and programming for movement unit and CIP unit)
  4. Movement unit and housing
  5. CIP unit

Lighthouse Probe™ Functional principle:

functional principles during processing and cleaning

Benefits:

  • No window fouling
  • In-line window wash
  • In-line calibration
  • Full CIP
  • In-product measurement with 360 degrees view
  • Simultaneous use of various analytical methods (NIR, FBRM etc)

Technical details:

  • Tubular Sapphire glass windows
  • Large observation area
  • Fibre Optic side viewing optical probe
  • Small probe diameter
  • Compact CIP skid
  • Customized probes
    • Various lengths
    • Various tips/noses
    • Portable versions
    • In-flow measurements
    • Multi-point/-depth

Summary
The Lighthouse Probe™ provides:

  • In-process window cleaning at any time.
  • Recalibration at any time during the process
  • Full CIP of wash housing and seal
  • Always a clear view inside, even in difficult conditions

Future developmentsFuture developments

  • Combining Lighthouse Probe Technology with UV/VIS-, fluorescence- and Raman spectroscopy.
  • Experiments with pastes and suspensions.
  • Tests in different vessels and tubes (flow through).
  • Combination of different optical methods in one probe.
  • Additional experiments for checking product homogeneity in vessels.
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