Process challenge device for evaluation of contamination forming and removal processes inside of hollow channels and methods for contamination evaluation

A process challenge device (1) comprising:

• at least one removable test tag (4) having a back and a face surface (4a) on which contamination forms or is applied to in a form a test soil (8);
• at least one hollow capsule (2) having an inlet (2a);
• at least one continuous internal cavity (3) inside of the at least one hollow capsule (2), containing:
• a flow shaping portion (10a),
• at least one removable test tag holding part (10b), and
• an outlet (2b), and
• a lock (7) or an end cap (5) for locking the at least one removable test tag (4) in the at least one continuous internal cavity (3) characterised by the at least one removable test tag holding part (10b) of the at least one continuous internal cavity (3) containing:
• a seat (3a) of a matching shape to the at least one removable test tag (4) within which the at least one removable test tag (4) is positioned and an empty space above the seat (3a) wherein said empty space has a cross section area parallel to the cross section of the inlet (2a) and is between 95% and 105% of its size, ensuring the at least one removable test tag (4) is inserted into the seat (3a) in the correct orientation such that the back of the at least one removable test tag (4) sits against the seat (3a) and the face surface (4a) of the at least one removable test tag (4) is orientated towards the space inside of the at least one continuous internal cavity (3);
• the flow shaping portion (10a) of the at least one continuous internal cavity (3) being 1% to 80% of the length of the at least one hollow capsule (2) and providing smooth transition between the cross section shape at the inlet (2a) to the cross section shape of the at least one removable test tag holding part (10b) of the at least one continuous internal cavity (3) at a front edge of the seat (3a).