Equilibar PD Sanitary Pulsation Dampener

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Sanitary pulsation dampeners for biopharma processes manufactured by Equilibar utilise an innovative, air-loaded double-sided active dampening design to isolate aggressive pressure ripples. Unlike conventional passive bladder dampeners that experience lag and material fatigue, this dual-diaphragm system uses responsive pneumatic force adjustments to counteract fluid spikes from positive displacement pumps—protecting downstream filters while maintaining strict hygienic process boundaries.

Active Pneumatic Attenuation Advantages

The multi-use PD Series is engineered specifically to eliminate pressure ripples near sensitive process elements, delivering several critical operational advantages:

Maximises Bioprocess Yield: Low-shear, responsive operation stabilizes line conditions to improve cell viability and minimise cell membrane degradation.
Protects Analytical Hardware: Smooths out continuous fluid shocks to extend the working lifecycle of chromatography columns and filtration setups.
Full CIP/SIP Cleanability: Features a fully drainable, crevice-free internal geometry that supports standard vertical self-draining sterilization regimes.
Adaptive Pressure Tracking: Employs a shared air line on the non-wetted side to adjust instantly to dynamic inline flow profile variations.

Equilibar® PD Series Technical Specifications

Engineering Parameter	Standard Metric Target	Hygienic & Design Compliance Notes
Pressure Rating Limit	Up to 150 psig (10 bar[g])	Requires supply pressure slightly higher than average line pressure.
Temperature Envelope	Up to 135°C (275°F)	Fully rated to handle continuous clean steam sterilisation-in-place cycles.
Wetted Material Lineup	USP Class VI / FDA PTFE	Ensures absolute chemical inertness across aggressive or high-purity media.
Body Metallurgy Options	316L Stainless Steel / HC-22	Standard 1.4435 configuration options engineered for severe chemistry setups.
Connection Interfaces	¼ in. up to 3 in. Tri-Clamp	Standard sanitary Tri-Clamp end fittings matching standard ASME BPE specs.

How the Equilibar Active Pulsation Dampener Works

Unlike standard passive dampeners that rely on a fixed bladder or gas charge, the Equilibar PD Series utilises an active pneumatic pilot system to suppress fluid ripples instantaneously. Installed downstream of positive displacement systems—such as air-operated double diaphragm (AODD) or peristaltic pumps—the dampener acts directly on the fluid line to absorb pressure spikes before they propagate through the piping.

The mechanism relies on a constant supply of reference gas loaded onto the non-wetted side of flexible, dual-sided PTFE diaphragms. As the pump stroke forces a fluid pulse into the dampener body, the internal process pressure momentarily rises. The dampener responds to this force by allowing the diaphragms to deflect, compressing the air volume behind them.

Excess pressure on the air side is vented through integrated exhaust ports, minimizing the pulse amplitude. When the pump stroke transitions and fluid pressure drops, the reference gas pressure pushes the diaphragms back, instantly smoothing out the downstream flow profile. This continuous, bidirectional compensation creates a linear, pulsation-free flow stream.