Pharmaceuticals
Our Systems Efficiently Remove or Recycle Dust, Promoting Cleanliness and Productivity.
Dust Collection Solutions for Pharma & Nutraceuticals
While all types of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical production raise concerns about air quality, special attention should be given to dust control in solid dosage processes, including the production of tablets, powders, and powder-filled capsules. Unchecked pharmaceutical and nutraceutical dust has the potential to compromise processes and endanger the well-being of workers. Gas contaminants may exist in the exhaust stream as a result of processing, and must be captured and scrubbed with a wet scrubber.
Dry & Wet Dust Collection Equipment
With Vertical Cartridge filters (VCFs), gravity works in your favor allowing dust and debris to fall off rather than gathering on the cartridge’s filter media. VCFs are an ideal choice for many applications where the dust is dry and free flowing. Cartridge filters are used for many processes and industries to control dust emissions, including chemical processing, minerals, blasting, welding, plasma cutting, dry powder handling, and metal finishing to name a few.
Dust & Gases:
Safeguarding Workers and the Environment with Precision and Efficiency
Ensuring the safety of workers and the environment requires careful consideration of the three crucial phases involved in capturing dust and gases:
Capture
Our source capture equipment is strategically positioned at the origin of dust emissions, swiftly drawing in particles as they are released into the air. We maintain a healthier and safer environment by preventing dust cloud formation and minimizing dispersion.
Transport
Once the particles have been captured, they are efficiently transported through a well-designed ducting system. This seamless transfer ensures the particles are effectively managed and prepared for the next phase.
Filtration/Evacuation
Upon entering the ducting system, the captured dust can be directed externally or channeled through a filtration system. This approach allows for energy and financial savings, as the filtered dust can be recycled back into the facility, promoting a more sustainable and cost-effective operation.
By meticulously addressing each phase, we prioritize safety, minimize environmental impact, and optimize overall performance.
Regulations for Dust Control in the Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Industries
The pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries are subject to stringent regulations covering all stages of the production process, from sanitation to packaging. The relevant regulations for dust control primarily fall into two categories: nuisance dusts and hazardous chemicals. Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical manufacturers must also adhere to OSHA and NFPA standards for combustible dusts.
Considerations for Selecting a Dust Control Solution in the Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Industry
Engineers designing dust control solutions for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical dusts must take several factors into account, including:
- Human health hazards associated with the dust: Does it contain an API? What is the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for the dust?
- Physical characteristics of the dust: How much dust is produced? Is the process contained within a hood or cabinet, or is it more open?
- Combustibility of the dust: What are the combustion risks in the production environment?
- Moisture level of the dust: Are water vapor or solvents present in the air?
- The presence of dangerous chemical vapors, gases, or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is produced along with the dust that requires control.
At Sly, we offer a comprehensive range of top-quality dust collection equipment designed to safeguard pharmaceutical and nutraceutical processing operations from potentially combustible and hazardous dust. Our systems efficiently remove or recycle dust, promoting cleanliness and productivity. Contact Sly today, and let us tailor a dust collection system to meet the unique needs of your operations.
Challenges in Dust Collection for the Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Industries
The pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries face numerous challenges regarding dust control. The specific risks and difficulties depend on the ingredients and processes involved.
Dust Generation in Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Production Processes
The production of solid dosage forms in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry involves various processes, each posing its own concerns regarding dust generation. Some of these processes include:
- Tablet pressing
- Capsule Filling
- Powder batch mixing and milling
- Wet and dry granulation
- Pelletizing and speronization
- Fluidized bed processes
- Drying processes
- Weighing and packaging
It is crucial to address and mitigate dust creation in these processes to ensure the safety and quality of the products.
Featured Resources
Which Dry Dust Collector is Best for My Application?
You need a dust collector. The question is, which one? Only by picking the right kind of dust collector and customizing it to fit your needs can you maximize your system’s performance and dust collection efficiency while extending the life of your collector.
Cleaning Up with Cartridge Filters: Dust Collector Filter Cleaning
For indoor dry dust collector installations, cartridge dust collectors are often the best option for applications where the dust is dry and can flow freely, such as in chemical processing, minerals, blasting, welding, plasma cutting, dry powder handling, and metal finishing. But cartridge filters, just like baghouse filters, demand regular maintenance to provide continuing filtration efficiency.