Technical advantages
Technical Advantages
Capsules & Tablets
Compressed air is used at every stage from mixing, hardening, and granulation to drying, compression, coating, and packaging, and comes into contact with pharmaceutical products during many stages of manufacturing.
Fermentation
Fermentation tanks are aerated with sterile air. If the sterile air is contaminated, the final product may also be contaminated.
Instrument Air
Tools used throughout the manufacturing process are powered by compressed air. Because exhaust air from the tools may contact the product, it must be clean and oil-free.
Application Notes
Pharmaceutical, medical, and laboratory environments typically place greater emphasis on compressed air cleanliness, stability, and verifiability. Compressed air can be used for equipment actuation, fermentation support, instrument control, cleaning, and blow-off, with different air-quality requirements for different uses.
System design should distinguish between points of use that directly contact the product and those that do not, with configuration based on process standards, filtration grade, dew point, microbial control, and maintenance requirements. For medical applications, actual regulations, standards, and equipment requirements apply.
Selection & Operating Considerations
- Differentiate direct product-contact air, process-support air, and general instrument air, and apply air-quality controls appropriate to each use.
- Monitor dew point, particulates, oil content, and any required hygiene controls according to equipment requirements, and retain inspection and maintenance records.
- Final configurations for medical and pharmaceutical applications should follow applicable regulations, quality systems, and the technical requirements of the actual production equipment.
Applications
Typical Applications
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Application Example
Pharmaceutical Equipment & Packaging Actuators
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Application Example
Fermentation & Process Support Air
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Application Example
Medical & Laboratory Instrument Air