Tablets & Capsules

Camfil Digital Magazine

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camfi lapc.com US Pharmacopeia 2 Though tablet compression and other solid dose processes do not generate large volumes of fugitive dust, it is critical to safely collect any dust that is created to achieve the widely held goal of "error-free performance." Phar- maceutical equipment depends on a delicate balance of specifi ed airfl ow and static pressure, climate control, precise material handling and com- pression force to run properly. The dust collector linked to this equipment can detract from reliable, consistent performance if dust collector compo- nents are not properly designed. High-effi ciency cartridge-style dust collectors offer excellent dust remov- al effi ciencies and a relatively small footprint, making them the system of choice for tablet compression appli- cations. But the dust collector must often serve many masters with varied concerns: the FDA for delivering safe products to patients; the NFPA for ex- plosion protection; OSHA for explosiv- ity, indoor air quality, and other safety issues; the EPA for outdoor air; and the end user, whose goal is to satisfy all regulatory bodies while also maximiz- ing quality and productivity. Here are ten of the most important factors to consider when choosing dust collec- tion for a tablet press. Use a conservative air-to-cloth ratio Air-to-cloth (air-to-media) ratio, de- fi ned as the cubic feet of air per minute to square feet of fi lter cloth/media, is an important and often misunderstood element in dust collector selection and sizing. The recommended air-to-media ratio for cartridge fi lters used in tablet- ing applications is in the range of 2:1 to 2.5:1. Some equipment suppliers will use air- to-media ratios as high as 5:1 to allow use of a smaller collector that requires less space and carries a lower initial cost. Overly high ratios can often re- sult in inconsistent airfl ow, which in turn generates multiple problems: (1) static pressure can be out of specifi ca- tion, causing the press to malfunction; (2) fi lter life is shortened, creating lost production time and high change-out costs; and (3) the pulse cleaning sys- tem will be triggered too frequently, further shortening fi lter life and ham- pering reliable operation of the dust collector. The use of a more conservative (i.e., lower) air-to-media ratio can minimize these problems and help allow the tab- let press end user to operate for 1 to 2 years between fi lter changes. Though the initial cost outlay will be higher, this approach offers a rapid payback in maintenance savings while improving overall reliability. Determine the need for containment It is critical to understand the toxico- logical properties of the material to be captured–i.e., the potent, toxic or al- lergenic properties of the compound. Selecting the Correct Dust Collection Equipment for Solid Dose Manufacturing By David Steil, Camfi l APC Dust collector for tablet press application contains two high-effi ciency fi lter cartridges, bag-in/bag-out safe-change fi lter system, and safe-change continuous liner discharge, and features an explosion vent on the back of the collector.

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