Industrial air compressors serve as important power supply sources for…
5 Common Uses of Air Compressors in The Pharmaceutical Industry
A steady supply of oil-free and contamination-free compressed air is immensely important for the pharmaceutical industry. With concerns over the presence of toxic materials – that can potentially lead to product recalls and even shutdowns – growing across the world, the demand for energy-efficient and controllable compressed air is going up rapidly. The high level of regulations and standards that the pharma sector needs to adhere to also plays an important role in this context. A good air compressor for the pharmaceutical industry can be put to multiple applications. We turn our attention to them in what follows:
For Supply Of Contamination-Free Instrumentation Air
During the various stages of pharmaceutical manufacturing, pneumatic conveying plays an important role. High-quality, controlled compressed air powers the tools used for this pneumatic conveying. The compressed air systems used in the pharma sector are designed to generate oil-free air of the requisite purity standards. In addition, the compressed air is also instrumental for tool polishing & sorting, valve control, regular maintenance and other related processes. The sterility and the microbiological stability of the compressed air is also taken into account.
In pharmaceutical setups, fermenter fsystems are used. Now, if there is any bacterial contamination due to the fermenter in the surroundings – the quality of the pharma products can get adversely (and irreversibly) affected. A reliable industrial air compressor minimises the risks of such contaminations – by aerating the fermenter in an efficient and safe manner. When the sterile air is pure enough, quality issues do not crop up.
For Safe Pharmaceutical Packaging That Ensures Product Integrity
Availability of clear air at high pressure is vital for ensuring that pharma packaging and bottling standards adhere to the stipulated regulations. An air compressor for the pharmaceutical industry provides the desired level of pressure to the packaging machinery (along with industrial vacuums) – so that the product enclosure and sealing can be done without any accidental damages. This is particularly important during the packaging/canning of the relatively sensitive capsules/gel capsules. Risks of product tampering and/or packaging defects (in bottles, blister cans, cartons, etc.) are minimised by the operations of the compressed air systems. By using pressurised and pre-checked containers, chances of pharma product damages during storage and transit are also done away with.
The top suppliers of industrial compressed air systems, like Zentech Systems, make sure that their equipment have the capacity to deliver the required volume and quality of pressurised air for the pneumatic systems used in the pharma sector. These air compressors rank high on the durability count, and offer sustainable solutions that make day-to-day pharma operations better and smarter.
For Seamless Manufacture Of Tablets, Capsules and Caplets
Nearly all the important stages of pharmaceutical production come into contact (directly or indirectly) with compressed air. Contaminations in the latter can hamper the tablet/capsule manufacturing process – and even put personal health at risk. The need is for Class 0 pressurised air that makes sure of the end-product not getting contaminated in any way. Granulation, ingredient mixing, coating, pressing and drying are some of the manufacturing processes where compressed air plays an important role.
For cream, lotion and ointment manufacturing as well, the pressurised air from advanced compressed air systems come in handy. Clean air at high pressure levels is commonly used to get rid of excess moisture and dirt/dust particles from the vials and tubes in which ointments & creams are packed. The oil-free compressed air ensures a complete absence of impurities.
Air Compressor For Pharmaceutical Industry Helps In Smooth Machine Operations and Safety
Tablets and pills generally have to be hardened and coated (after the mixing phase) systematically. Oil-free, sterile compressed air helps in this as well. The precision levels of the air compressors used in pharma setups is crucial here – since this ensures that all medicinal units, pills and other products are identical, in terms of composition, proportions and even appearance.
The key here lies in understanding that if the supply of compressed air is inadequate or unsteady, the manufacturing equipment and tools will not have the required force to maintain consistency in ingredient compositions/concentrations. Alterations in the drug compression and ingredient density levels (or even apparently small concentration change of medical ingredients) can cause major changes in the effects of a medicine and the way in which it is broken down after being consumed.
For Efficient Treatment Of Wastewater and Maintaining Environmental Cleanliness
In nearly every phase of pharmaceutical manufacturing, water is used in different amounts. This water has to be treated with compressed air – both before the process, as well as after it. In case water is reused in the pharma applications, it also needs to be treated carefully. The wastewater treatment procedure is generally managed with the help of air compressor systems (and blowers).
Since compressed air systems are used to treat wastewater before being released, there are no contaminations. As a result, the environment is not affected in any way. In addition, air compressors – when properly set up and used – ensure cleaner manufacturing spaces and adequate levels of ventilation. In the factories and pharmaceutical laboratories where chemical processes are conducted round-the-clock, this makes a huge difference from the sanitation perspective.
The Bottom Line
Compressed air systems find widespread application in the pharmaceutical sector. From manufacturing and packaging of medicinal products, to fermentation, removal of water/water-soluble material from solid products (i.e., the ‘drying’ process) and powering pneumatic processes – sterile and pure compressed air is used to make different processes smarter, safer and more efficient.
Given the fact that production losses are likely to be a direct result of inadequate supply of pressurised air, the rationale behind the growing usage of compressed air tools in the pharma industry becomes easy to understand. The best industrial air compressors deliver specialised, controllable solutions and eliminate all types of air contaminants (particulate matter, debris, oils, etc.). As the global pharmaceutical sector continues to grow, the demand for customised air compressors for this industry is also set to increase.
The manufacturing processes of all types of medicines – tablets, capsules & more – require compressed air of the highest quality. This makes it absolutely vital for pharma companies to make use of a reliable, high-performance, and durable air compressor for the pharmaceutical industry. To meet this ever-increasing demand, leading manufacturers of compressed air systems are coming up with products that minimise contamination rates, can withstand elevated temperatures, and can work in varying industrial conditions. Pharma companies need to comply with strict regulations – and advanced air compressors indeed play an important role in this regard.
