Apparatus and method for continuous depyrogenation and production of sterile water for injection

A fluid processor comprising:

• a pump for drawing a fluid from a fluid source through a fluid inlet and pressurizing the fluid;
• a processor assembly for processing the fluid from the pump, the processor assembly comprising:
• a heat exchanger for recovering thermal energy;
• a reactor for processing a fluid by heating:
• and a heater for heating the reactor;
• a process control system comprising:
• a flow splitter disposed between the pump and the processor assembly for diverting a portion of the fluid from the pump, a first flow restrictor for receiving the diverted fluid and directing the diverted fluid to the fluid inlet, a pressure relief valve disposed between the first flow restrictor and the flow splitter, and a second flow restrictor disposed downstream of the processor assembly, wherein the flow splitter, first flow restrictor, second flow restrictor and pressure relief valve are constructed and arranged to coact with each other to control the pressure and flow rate of the fluid in the fluid processor;
• a sanitization assembly comprising:
• an isolation valve disposed immediately downstream of the fluid inlet
• a drain valve disposed at the lowest point of the fluid processor and between the pump and the processor assembly;
• and
• a startup loop assembly comprising:
• a first fluid path running from the isolation valve to the reactor;
• a second fluid path running from the isolation valve to the pump;
• a startup flow restrictor disposed immediately downstream of the isolation valve and positioned along the first fluid path;
• and
• a four-way valve disposed immediately downstream of the startup flow restrictor and the pump, the four-way valve-having
• a first connection for receiving fluid from the startup flow restrictor,
• a second connection for directing fluid from the startup flow restrictor to the reactor,
• a third connection for receiving fluid from the pump, and
• a fourth connection for directing the fluid from the pump to the heat exchanger, and further,
• wherein the four-way valve has a startup position for directing fluid from the startup flow restrictor to the reactor through the first and second connection and a normal position for directing the fluid from the pump to the heat exchanger through the third and fourth connection.