Cooling Tunnel / Cooling Conveyor – OQ Protocol

Document Control Number: OQ-CT-001

Version: 1.0

Effective Date: [Insert Date]

Reviewed By: [Insert Name]

Approval Date: [Insert Date]

Operational Qualification Protocol for Cooling Tunnel in Suppository Production

Objective: To validate the cooling tunnel used in the production of suppositories, ensuring it operates within specified parameters to maintain product quality.

Scope: This protocol applies to the Operational Qualification (OQ) of the Cooling Tunnel located in the Production area, specifically used for cooling suppositories after molding.

Responsibilities:

  • Validation Team: Responsible for executing the OQ protocol and documenting results.
  • Quality Assurance: Responsible for reviewing and approving the OQ protocol and results.
  • Production Personnel: Responsible for operating the cooling tunnel during the validation process.

Prerequisites:

  • Installation Qualification (IQ) must be completed and approved.
  • All necessary equipment and materials must be available and calibrated.
  • Personnel must be trained on the equipment operation and validation procedures.

Equipment Description:

The Cooling Tunnel is designed to cool suppositories post-molding. It operates by controlling the airflow and temperature to ensure optimal cooling conditions. The critical parameters include cooling temperature, airflow rate, time, PLC logs, and audit trail for data integrity.

Test ID Procedure Acceptance Criteria Evidence
OQ-CT-01 Measure cooling temperature at various points in the tunnel. Temperature must be within ±2°C of setpoint. Temperature log records.
OQ-CT-02 Verify airflow rate using calibrated anemometer. Airflow must meet specifications outlined in URS Annex 11. Airflow measurement report.
OQ-CT-03 Monitor cooling time for a batch of suppositories. Cooling time must be within specified limits. Batch cooling time records.
OQ-CT-04 Review PLC logs for consistency and accuracy. PLC logs must show no discrepancies. PLC log audit trail.
See also  Hammer Mill – IQ Protocol

Detailed Test Cases:

  1. Test Case OQ-CT-01: Conduct temperature measurements at the inlet, midpoint, and outlet of the cooling tunnel. Document all readings and compare against the acceptance criteria.
  2. Test Case OQ-CT-02: Use an anemometer to measure airflow at designated points. Ensure airflow is consistent with URS specifications.
  3. Test Case OQ-CT-03: Time the cooling process from start to finish for a set batch of suppositories. Verify that the time falls within the predefined limits.
  4. Test Case OQ-CT-04: Access the PLC system to review logs. Confirm that there are no errors or unexpected variations in the recorded data.

Deviations: Any deviations from the acceptance criteria must be documented and addressed according to the deviation management process.

Approvals:

  • Validation Team Lead: ____________________ Date: __________
  • Quality Assurance Manager: ____________________ Date: __________

Data Integrity Checks:

  • Ensure all PLC logs are automatically generated and time-stamped.
  • Verify that all temperature and airflow measurements are recorded electronically with backup storage.
  • Conduct periodic audits of data logs to ensure no data manipulation has occurred.