GEA Niro Pharma Test Station – PSD-4 spray dryer
The GEA Niro Pharma Test Station is the world’s most advanced GMP test station for spray drying, and can be used to produce material for safety, stability and toxicology studies and clinical trials. The Test Station includes two GMP spray drying units, PSD-1 and PSD-4.
The size of the PSD-4 spray dryer matches the size of an actual production unit for many projects. This means that 1:1 trials can be performed, enabling direct technology transfer from testing to commercial production.
The PSD-4 spray dryer uses nitrogen as the drying medium in a closed loop, which allows for drying of feed compounds containing organic solvents. While the powder is collected under the cyclone, a bag filter is used for collecting fines. Alternatively, all powder can be collected under the bag filter. There are two atomization methods: a pressure nozzle and a two-fluid nozzle, both operating in a co-current mode.
Main components
| Feed system |
HEPA-filters |
| Drying chamber |
Condenser |
| Cyclone |
Fans |
| Bag filter |
Electrical heaters |
Feed
The Pharma Test Station is fully equipped to prepare the feed liquid from required solvents, excipients and API. The PSD-4 feed preparation room includes three 200-litre feed tanks. Various options are available for filtration of feed.
Solvents
The PSD-4 can operate with a wide range of solvents, including:
| Water |
Isopropyl alcohol |
| Ethanol |
Acetone |
| Methanol |
Methylene chloride |
Operating parameters
| Inlet temperature: up to 220 °C |
Pressure nozzle, atomization pressure: 10-300 bar |
| Outlet temperature: up to 150 °C |
Two-fluid nozzle, gas pressure: 0,5-14 bar |
| Condenser temperature: down to -18 °C |
Two-fluid nozzle, atomization gas temperature: 18-100 °C |
| Feed rate: up to 15-400 kg/h (depending on solvent type) |
CIP liquid temperature: Up to 80 °C |
Feed temperature: 5-80 °C
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