Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) Measurements

H2O2 bio-decontamination measurement, monitoring and control

Hydrogen peroxide is an environmentally friendly way of performing bio-decontamination in isolators, hospital rooms, transfer hatches and other applications. Vaporized H2O2 concentration levels are measured during bio-decontamination to ensure process conditions have been achieved. Vaisala’s unique sensor for measuring vaporized hydrogen peroxide PEROXCAP® ensures reliable and repeatable results.

Customer Testimonials

“With the Vaisala unit I’m getting humidity and temperature, along with H2O2 concentration. This gives a more complete picture of what’s occurring  and that’s crucial in validation.”
Rick Nieskes, Ardien Consulting Services

“…You need inline sensors that give values not only for the H2Ovapor but also for the Relative Saturation, because this will tell you when condensation will occur at the current temperature. Relative saturation indicates the humidity value derived from the combination of water and hydrogen peroxide vapor.”
Panu Wilska, Cleamix

Operation room in a hospital

H2O2 Measurement: Relative Saturation

PEROXCAP® sensor technology uses two HUMICAP® sensors; one is a standard HUMICAP sensor and the other includes a catalytic layer that prevents H2O2 molecules from entering the sensor membrane and senses only the water vapor part of the air mixture. The HPP272 probe has an additional RTD temperature probe to monitor process temperature with humidity (both relative humidity and relative saturation). Dew point and vapor pressure measurements are possible, often critical parameters in bio-decontamination. The HPP271 probe option measures H2O2 ppm by volume.

Vaisala Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide Bio-decontamination Process Simulator

H2O2 Calculator

With this vaporized hydrogen peroxide calculator, you can simulate bio-decontamination processes in closed and open systems, or under free evaporation conditions. Simply choose your method and input parameters like: phase duration, temperature, injection rates, H2O2 liquid concentration, and other parameters. Model your process in the simulator and see the effects on the condensation point, relative humidity, relative saturation, and achievable vH2O2 ppm concentration. 

How to use: 
•    Choose your bio-decontamination method: Closed system, Open system, free evaporation
•    Enter process parameters
•    View results

See also our webinar on using the vH2O2 calculator

 
Chemical molecules

eBook: VH2O2 Formulas & Calculations

In this technical eBook you will learn the fundamental conversion formulas that pertain to hydrogen peroxide vapor. These formulas allow you to make your own conversion calculations.

Pharma - Application area for H2O2 Measurement

The HUMICAP sensor without the catalytic layer senses the air mixture with both hydrogen peroxide vapor and water vapor. The calculated difference between the measurements includes vapor concentration of H2O2 and relative saturation. Relative Saturation indicates both the vaporized hydrogen peroxide and water vapor in the air. During bio-decontamination processes there is always water vapor present in addition to hydrogen peroxide vapor. In order to control condensation, you need to know the combined humidity of water and hydrogen peroxide vapor. Relative saturation is the only parameter that measures this combined vapor mixture. 

Vaisala Peroxcap Sensor Technology Description

Benefits of PEROXCAP®

  • Unique capacitive thin-film polymer sensors for repeatable measurement
  • Stable even in high humidity bio-decontamination conditions
  • Multiple measurements from a single device
  • Onsite calibration or traceable factory calibration

Measurement Excellence in Bio-decontamination

To maintain accuracy over multiple bio-decontamination processes, the PEROXCAP sensor has two internal features: continuous warming of the sensing element and purge functions (rapid warming intervals). The warming prevents condensation on the sensor and the purge function cleans the sensor membrane from potential contaminants. The intelligent measurement technology of the HPP270-series probes helps maintain measurement accuracy between calibration intervals – even in challenging, high-humidity bio-decontaminations.   

Typical Applications

  • Isolators, cRABS
    Pharmaceutical development and manufacturing, Aseptic filling, Sterility testing, Freeze dryers, Pharmacy compounding, Blood and tissue banks.
  • Transfer Hatches & chambers
    Hospitals, Pharmaceutical manufacturing, Cleanrooms, Animal trials, Defense, Blood and tissue banks, Pharmacy compounding.
  • Vapor generators
    Cleanrooms, Healthcare, Animal trials (GLP), Bio-decontamination service providers, HVAC, Ambulatory care, Defense and Aviation, Farming (animal husbandry), construction.
  • Incubators
    Pharma / GLP, GCP applications, Blood and tissue banks, Scientific research.
  • Production lines
    Processing plants, Filling lines, Milking machines.

Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide Measurement related products

Indigo520 with probe

Indigo500 Series Transmitters

The Vaisala Indigo500 series transmitters are host devices for Vaisala Indigo-compatible, stand-alone smart probes. The Indigo500 series include multi-functional Indigo520 transmitter and Indigo510 transmitter with basic features.

Easy Calibration

In bio-decontamination it can be difficult to achieve stable conditions.  On-site calibration for %RH and %RS is easy to do for Vaisala’s HPP270 series probes with any humidity chamber, or Vaisala’s HMK15 calibration kit. On-site calibration, based only on humidity, improves H2O2 measurement performance. A freshly calibrated HPP sensor can also be used as a reference device during on-site calibration if stable H2O2 conditions are available.  For the best measurement accuracy, traceable factory calibration is available at Vaisala’s Service Center and includes calibration of both humidity and H2O2 measurements.

Pharma warehouse H2O2 measurement

The probes can be used with the optional Vaisala Indigo transmitters or as standalone probes. Indigo transmitters provide an easy user interface and can be configured according to process requirements. Indigo comes with plug-and-play probe connection, LCD color display (optional non -display version for analog model), and IP65 enclosure. For simple probe configuration, calibration, and adjustment, the probe can be connected to Vaisala's Insight PC software.

Further Reading on Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide Bio-decontamination

The Vaisala PEROXCAP® HPP270 series probes feature both digital and analog outputs. The probe was developed for manufacturers, service providers, and end-users who use vaporized H2O2 in bio-decontamination processes. In addition to H2O2, the probe measures temperature and humidity, referring to relative saturation and relative humidity, dew point, and vapor pressure. The probes can be used for both monitoring and control. To learn more about how the HPP270 series probe can ensure effective bio-decontamination, see the articles below.

Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) Vs. Vaporized Ethylene Oxide (EtO)

During customer site visits we witness industry trends in bio-decontamination and sterilization. Many of our customers and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) anticipate an increase in the use of vaporized hydrogen peroxide over ethylene oxide. To understand this trend, it is useful to compare vaporized hydrogen peroxide to ethylene oxide to define applications that are best served by each.

Your Questions on Bio-decontamination Answered

During our live webinars, we receive many questions on H2O2 bio-decontamination. In this blog we answer some of the most common questions, including:

  • Why is it important to measure relative saturation with H2O2 vapor ppm?
  • How does the Vaisala probe withstand condensation?
  • What are the materials in the Vaisala PEROXCAP® HPP272 sensor?
  • How do I integrate the HPP272 probe with my own system?
  • What is the difference between sterilization and bio-decontamination?
  • Can the probe be re-calibrated by the end user? If yes, please describe the method.

Field Comparison of Hydrogen Peroxide Measurement Systems

A bio-decontamination service provider compares the equipment he normally uses with the Vaisala HPP272 probe combined with the Indigo201 transmitter. In this blog, he gives his evaluation and a link to the results of the comparison.

Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide Bio-Decontamination in Isolators, cRABS, and Transfer Hatches

In this application note, we look at vaporized hydrogen peroxide in isolators, closed restricted access barrier systems (cRABS), and transfer hatches (TH). Although the focus is on isolator bio-decontamination, the same principles also apply to other safety and purity units.

Room Bio-Decontamination with Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide generators are used for room bio-decontamination in intensive care units, operating and emergency rooms, ambulances, blood banks, food and beverage processing and storage areas,  animal facilities and labs, procedure rooms and more... In this application note we outline the use of vaporized hydrogen peroxide in large chambers and rooms.

Comparing Different Hydrogen Peroxide Bio-Decontamination Validation Processes

There are different ways to verify that a vaporized hydrogen peroxide bio-decontamination process is working effectively, each with its own pros and cons. In this blog we look at common methods and compare.