Germany based Romaco Innojet, a supplier of processing and packaging equipment specializing in engineering technologies for pharmaceutical solids, has developed the first mobile processing machine for pilot-scale applications. The Ventilus Pilot represents an all-in-one solution both for laboratories and for manufacturers of small batch sizes. The system design with only one spray nozzle simplifies scale-up processes.
Romaco Innojet has just launched the first mobile processing machine for pilot scale applications — Ventilus Pilot. According to Romaco, all components of this ergonomic all-in-one solution are integrated into a cGMP compliant system concept, which includes the air technology with all filter, heating, and cooling elements and the process container and the control system. The Ventilus Pilot can thus be connected and put into operation quickly and easily in any environment. Mounted on wheels, the pilot-scale system is compact enough to fit through any standard door frame. It can be freely positioned in the cleanroom or integrated into the wall systems according to each customer’s requirements, it said.
Versatile applications
The standard version of the Ventilus Pilot can be used for granulating, drying, and coating particle sizes from 10 μm to 2 mm. Therefore, Romaco said this versatile all-in-one system is equally suited for laboratory applications or manufacturers of small batches with a volume of between four and 25 liters. Hot melt formulations can likewise be achieved simply and fast. The Innojet IHD 5 mobile hot melt system must merely be installed upstream for this purpose. The cGMP compliant technology is a particularly attractive option for pharmaceutical and food producers seeking to improve their formulations and optimize their processes, for example, by using a hot melt coating to mask the taste. To be ready for any eventuality, the Ventilus Pilot ships with the Innojet control software for production machines, including formulation control and process data recording and analysis.
Simple scale-up
All machines in the Ventilus product family facilitate scale-up. This is due to the cylindrical container geometry with the central, rotating Rotojet bottom spray nozzle. The process air is controlled by the Orbiter booster, which consists of overlapping circular plates. This results in homogeneous flow conditions inside the container, enabling extremely gentle intermixing of the batch. The airflow bed technology ensures accurate control of the product movement and similarly precise application of the spray liquid. The temperature and droplet size of the liquid spray produced by the nozzle can be very finely adjusted. Yet the range of possible applications is even more comprehensive — the technology is also suited for granulation using the conventional top spray method.
Innojet’s contribution towards more sustainability
According to the company, Romaco Innojet’s Ventilus technology contributes in several ways towards more sustainable pharmaceutical production. For one thing, the compact design of the Ventilus Pilot saves a lot of space in cleanroom areas and, by implication, reduces CO2 emissions during operation. For another, the airflow bed technology developed by Herbert Hüttlin requires less energy than traditional fluidized bed processes. The processing time for hot melt applications is up to 85% shorter as a result. Moreover, the Sepajet filter’s unique design restricts product loss to a minimum by continually returning the particles to the process. Put succinctly, the Romaco Innojet technology not only has clear economic benefits; it is also comparatively sustainable in use.
The Ventilus Pilot system can be seen at the Romaco Innojet facility in Steinen, Germany (via a live stream).
Germany-based Romaco is a leading international supplier of processing and packaging equipment specializing in pharmaceutical solids’ engineering technologies. The group provides individual machines and turnkey solutions for manufacturing and packing powders, granulates, pellets, tablets, capsules, syringes, and medical devices. Romaco also serves the food and chemical industries. The Romaco Group has its headquarters in Karlsruhe, Germany, and is part of the Truking Group, a globally operating high-tech enterprise based in Changsha, China. Truking’s core competency is handling and filling pharmaceutical liquids. Romaco has a strong presence in India with sales and service centers at Mumbai and Hyderabad.
