Case Study — Pharmaceutical
Low-Temperature Conical Vacuum Drying for a Pharmaceutical Intermediate
Heat-sensitive pharmaceutical intermediate powder
The Challenge
A pharmaceutical intermediate producer required a drying process that would not expose the product to temperatures that risked degrading its active content, while still achieving the residual moisture target needed for the next processing step. The customer also required a design compatible with cleaning and inspection procedures common in GMP-oriented environments.
The Solution
An SZG conical vacuum dryer was selected for its indirect jacket heating and rotating double-cone design, which allows gentle, continuous mixing of the batch while operating at a low set-point temperature under vacuum. The mirror-finished interior and accessible discharge port supported the customer's cleaning and inspection procedures between batches.
Project Process
- Assessed the intermediate's thermal sensitivity and target residual moisture specification
- Recommended an SZG conical vacuum dryer with a stainless steel product-contact surface
- Advised on heating medium selection and vacuum system sizing for the target batch time
- Provided commissioning support and operator training