Overview

The Recirculating VHP Generator is a vaporized hydrogen peroxide bio-decontamination method that is being increasingly adopted for decontamination in aseptic pharmaceutical facilities. This generator uses flash-vaporization technology to rapidly heat and vaporize a 30–35% hydrogen peroxide solution into VHP vapor, which oxidizes cellular components such as lipids, proteins and DNA; at room temperature, VHP vapor is effective against a broad range of bacteria, fungi and viruses. It is mainly used for interior bio-decontamination of biosafety cabinets, lyophilizers, centrifuges, fermenters, tunnel ovens and similar equipment, and is simple to operate and easy to move.

Bio-decontamination Process

1. Preparation and pre-treatment — tubing connection and leak check: the generator's outlet tubing is connected to the supply and return ports of the target equipment, forming a closed recirculation loop; environmental conditioning: tubing and target chamber temperature/humidity are controlled (typically 15–30°C, ≤30% RH) to limit premature condensation of VHP vapor
2. Bio-decontamination phase (core recirculation) — generation and injection: the generator flash-vaporizes liquid hydrogen peroxide (typically 35% concentration); tubing recirculation and diffusion: VHP vapor is injected via tubing into the enclosed space (such as a lyophilizer chamber, HVAC supply duct or isolator) while a blower draws the vapor back to form an internal recirculation loop; concentration hold: recirculation continues until the VHP concentration in the chamber reaches and stabilizes at the target level (e.g. ≥200 ppm)
3. Aeration and breakdown phase — once the cycle time has elapsed, VHP injection stops; catalytic decomposition: VHP vapor is broken down into water and oxygen by the equipment's built-in catalytic decomposer, recirculating until the VHP concentration in the chamber drops toward the target level (e.g. below 1 ppm)

Key Features

• Compact, attractive design; easy to move
• Dry-cycle process designed to limit condensation under controlled operating conditions
• Short cycle time
• Low-temperature process (4–80°C)
• Hydrogen peroxide decomposes into water and oxygen; no toxic breakdown products
• Low hydrogen peroxide consumption, approximately 5–10 g/m³
• Cycle performance can be confirmed through biological indicator (BI) validation
• Fully automated cycle, no manual intervention required