Process Drying
In the pharmaceutical and food industries, hygroscopic materials are very common, for example in the manufacturing of tablets and pills; milk powder; sugar; chocolate; wine gums, lithium batteries and chewing gum.
Hygroscopic materials absorb moisture from the air, and for this reason many pharmaceutical industry products must be prepared in environments where the relative humidity is low, e.g. between 5 and 30%RH.
Low humidity conditions such as these are impossible to achieve without desiccant dehumidification. HB Group dehumidifiers can be found in the factories of many household names around the world.
Process Drying Pharmaceuticals
Many pharmaceutical products are hygroscopic, with a water content that can be influenced by the relative humidity of the surrounding air. Only through production and storage in low humidity conditions, often below 30%RH, can high quality and durability be guaranteed for these products.
Where production is undertaken in clean rooms, often with high fresh air changes and no or limited recirculation of air, the system would usually incorporate an HB dehumidifier working in conjunction with the existing air-handling equipment. Alternatively, a bespoke system can be provided incorporating all necessary air-handling components to provide the required conditions in the production area.
Our CRP range is designed with process air-drying in mind. The CRP range can deal with the bigger airflows needed, and our high quality components make them very reliable. The dehumidifier cabinet can be stainless steel, which makes it suitable for pharmaceutical production. The rotor is silica gel, suitable for bacteria-free dry air, or on request we can supply our patented hygienic rotor or the lithium chloride rotor. The belt-driven process air fan gives sufficient external pressure for the total installation.
Other pharmaceutical production processes that can benefit from dehumidification and humidity control are:
- Lab-scale development works, involving fluid bed drying, glove boxes, tabletting presses and film/sugar coating processes.
- The above processes at manufacturing production levels.
- Micronising powders
- Storage of powders and liquids
- Mixing
- Aseptic packaging
- Blister packaging
- Product drying
- Storage of finished product
- Film Coating
- Sugar Coating
In a coating process, the use of a desiccant dehumidifier can reduce total coating process time by up to 35%, increasing production capacity, maintaining constant production levels from winter to summer and giving a better quality product.