Airlock and its types in Pharmaceutical Industry

Definition:

-An enclosed space with two or more door, which interposed between two or more rooms.

-E.g. Of different classes of cleanliness, for the purpose of controlling the airflow between those rooms when they need to be entered. An airlock is designated for and used by either people or goods.

-There are three different types of airlock used in Pharmaceutical industry for different purpose.

-Cascade Airlock

-Bubble Airlock

- Sink Airlock

-Cascade Airlock

Cascade airlock has higher pressure at one side and lower pressure at another side .In this type of airlock positive air pressure flows from the higher pressure to lower pressure .

It prevents the entry of dust and contamination from outside to to airlock and from airlock from to inner side.

-Bubble Airlock

These types of airlock having higher pressure into the airlock and lower pressure both outside. It creates a barrier where contaminants within either area pushed back into their own respective areas

- Sink Airlock

-In Sink type of airlock  having lower pressure into the airlock and higher pressure on both sides of the airlock.

-This airlock pulls air from both adjacent areas creating a low pressure barrier and reduces the opportunity of contaminations passing to the internal zone.

Airflow pattern in HVAC system 
Definition of cleanroom 
Contamination control in Pharmaceutical industry 
SOP on personnel Hygiene in Pharmaceutical industry 
Source of contamination in Aspectic Area