Medical Design Briefs - February 2021 - 9

for longevity of the equipment. In addition, flammable liquids require a groundable pump, and food-grade liquids require
a food-grade pump.
To find the right match, medical device
manufacturers should work with a pump
supplier to identify the right pump for
the application. Established pump manufacturers compile detailed chemical compatibility databases that document the
type of pump, gasket, and hoses along
with whether the chemical needs to be
groundable.
If the chemical is in the database, the
pump often comes with a one-year warranty because either it has been tested or compatibility verified by the chemical manufacturer. When a chemical is not already
on the list, the pump manufacturer will
review the SDS and, if necessary, conduct
tests to determine the right pump for the
application.
Testing for Chemical Compatibility
Testing can be as simple as soaking the
standard gaskets for 5-7 days in the chemical. Because vapors are volatile, they are
frequently more harmful than the liquid
itself. When appropriate, vapor tests are
conducted in which the elastomer gasket
options (e.g., Viton, EPDM, nitrile, and
Santoprene) are suspended over the liquid. Pumps are then fully built, tested with
each elastomer, and, if none of the gaskets
work for the application, Teflon or Kalrez
gaskets are used instead.
With some complex aromatics, aliphatics,
and flammable liquids, a plastic pump housing may also need to be tested. This test is a
60-days soak in the chemicals to see whether
the parts swell or bind with each other,
which will cause the pump to fail.
The bottom line for medical device
manufacturers is that the dangers of transferring flammable and combustible liquids
are very real. By following the recommendations of the NFPA, OSHA, and other
regulatory bodies, personnel can avoid
hazards outlined in an SDS that could lead
to physical injuries, chronic respiratory ailments, and even death.
Fortunately, protecting medical manufacturing workers from harm can be relatively straightforward with proper safety
training, the use of PPE, and the use of
engineering controls to prevent dangerous spills and chemical accidents.
This article was written by Nancy Westcott,
President of GoatThroat Pumps, Milford, CT.
For more information, visit http://info.
hotims.com/79410-341.

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Medical Design Briefs, February 2021

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Medical Design Briefs - February 2021

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