Eurochem displays process technology

Eurochem 2001 took place at the NEC, Birmingham, UK. 350 companies were displaying their products, which covered process engineering. Graham Lampard reports some of the products and machines

Among the products given a debut at the Eurochem 2001 exhibition was the latest design of sealless pump from HND/Kontro. MagMax is said to be a combination of the best features of two recognised pump technologies: the canned motor pump (CMP) and the mag drive pump (MDP). The synergy of technologies provides considerable advances over conventional pump designs in terms of safety, reliability, cost and energy savings.

MagMax blends the motor and secondary containment from the CMP with the efficiency, simplicity and site serviceability of the MDP. The result is the canned magnet drive pump, which rotates at synchronous speed, unaffected by pump load. Not only does the higher speed make the motor more efficient but it also gives an additional head and flow for the liquid.

Hilge Pumps chose Eurochem 2001 for the UK launch of its Contra sterile pump range. The single or multi-stage design aseptic centrifugal pumps are manufactured in 316L low-carbon stainless steel from both heavy-duty drawn material and solid forging. This ensures total material integrity with a fissure-free smooth surface finish.

They meet pharmaceutical specifications including qualified hygienic design, material certification and documentation to EN 10204.3.1b and FDA compliance of the sealing parts. The Contra is suitable for WFI and sterile process systems, the crevice-free design and smooth surface ensuring that the pump can meet the most stringent regulatory requirements.

Bran+Luebbe showed a new design of horizontal gear metering pump. The H4 range features state-of-the-art seal technology, and provides users with a choice of plunger and hydraulically-actuated double diaphragms to ensure high levels of accuracy at all times. The fail-safe immersion lubrication reduces thermal load and results in extended lubricant life.

Developed specifically for biopharmaceutical duties, the LKH UltraPure pump from Alfa Laval meets specifications for WFI and other demanding applications. The pump is characterised by its unique design and heavy-duty construction, and can be supplied with a glass flowmeter with built-in check valve and isolation valve, a zero dead-leg diaphragm valve and fully drainable flush pipework. It also features product wetted parts made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel, CIP capability and standard 45° pump casing outlet, for self-venting steam SIP with vertical casing drain, for full drainability.

BOC Edwards launched Solstar, a new filter/dryer pumping system. It is claimed to be the first of its type to provide a single solution for the entire filter/dryer cycle, including both compressor and vacuum pumping stages. The company's patented dry pump technology and nitrogen recycling system make Solstar cheaper to run than conventional liquid ring pumps. The pump is a single three-claw dry mechanism with a 45kW motor and 25;60Hz inverter.

GEM was displaying its venturi steam traps. One big problem in steam lines is the mechanical stream trap designed to remove condensate from the lines. When these steam traps jam open, they waste steam; when they jam shut, they threaten the integrity of the system.

To overcome this problem, the GEM venturi steam trap is novel because of its lack of moving parts. It is a fixed orifice backed by a venturi.

Condensate from the high-pressure steam system collects at the orifice and is forcibly ejected through it. As the condensate passes through the venturi towards lower pressure, some flashes off, producing a back pressure on the orifice, which is the origin of the trap's flexibility under variable pressure. The trap is able to cope with a wide range of steam pressures.

Branching out into different sectors of the process industries, Hosokawa Rietz has updated its Extrud-O-Mix continuous extruder/mixer for use in the pharmaceutical industry. The model is part of a multi-million pound contract for a dispensing suite at AstraZeneca's Puerto Rico site.

The device features several modifications for use in drug production. It has integral CIP capability, including self-inserting nozzles. Moreover, the inside of the extruder is polished to a 0.1µm finish. Connected to variable-speed drives, the Extrud-O-Mix blends active ingredients with excipients continuously, discharging the product mix into a cone mill to ensure deagglomeration of the product.

trace level analysis

Pollution and Process Monitoring was highlighting its new range of trace-level TOC analysers. These are used for applications requiring ppb measurements of ultrapure water. The Protoc TL is fully programmable and capable of multiplexing up to six streams, while offering full autocalibration, and response times of 2min. It can be used by pharmaceutical companies for process water monitoring of deionised water under the USP regulations.

The LS 13320 particle size analyser from Beckman Coulter is the first of its kind to meet new ISO Standards for particle sizing, providing complete audit trails for each step. For pharmaceutical applications, the instrument is also 21 CFR Part 11 compliant.

Beckman Coulter has added new enhancements for increased productivity. The LS 13320 features a new auto-dock mechanism that facilitates the changing of sample modules. The system automatically removes the current module and positions the new module in a matter of seconds. Auto-dock instantly recognises which module is docked and configures the system accordingly.

Switching between dry and wet analysis is said to take just a few seconds. The LS Series also features a new multicomponent approach to SOPs, designed to meet the unique needs of the pharmaceutical industry. This new approach separates the SOP into two components — standard operating methods and a report preference profile. Report preferences can be filed and saved to streamline the set-up of subsequent methods.

A new system, MM710 PowderVision from NDC Infrared Engineering, allows direct on-line measurement of critical parameters in powders in enclosed ducting or pneumatic conveying systems. The considerable process benefits of real-time control can be applied to products in these traditionally difficult to access areas. MM710 PowderVision combines a proven on-line measurement gauge with an innovative new handling mechanism.

NIR gauging is an established technology for on-line measurement of moisture, fat, and protein in a wide variety of food, chemical, mineral and pharmaceutical products. Using a mechanical device installed directly in the duct, between the on-line gauge and the process, PowderVision continuously collects product and presents it to the gauge, without removing it from the process. In this way, on-line measurement is achieved inside the duct, for meaningful process control. A built-in air controller co-ordinates the regular filling and cleaning of the cup to ensure optimum results.

Westfalia Separator, part of the GEA group, was showing complete sterilisation systems, featuring SIP, for applications in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

The machines are ideal for the production of starter cultures, such as lactic acid bacteria, and for the recovery of biomass for pharma products, for example E. coli bacteria. The gentle handling of the feed allows the processing of biological products with reduced risk of damage to the cell structures. Microorganisms and vaccines may also be manufactured as the systems are totally contained. Steam sterilisation, after production, takes place at 1.5 bar steam pressure and 127°C.

mixing and blending

Tycon BPK containers for viscous bulk materials were on show at Eurochem 2001. The containers are supplied with a discharge station which has a pulsing-cone device to maintain the free movement of cohesive, sticky or difficult powders and to prevent the product from bridging or blocking the outlet.

The product can be used where the mixing and blending of various materials requires absolute control of the discharge. The system can be used where part discharge is required and the containers are supplied with a stainless steel mirror finish for pharma grade applications.