POLARDRY ELECTROSTATIC DRYING TECHNOLOGY
POLARDRY ELECTROSTATIC DRYING TECHNOLOGY
Efficient drying technology for pharmaceuticals and thermosensitive materials
Mild-temperature PolarDry® electrostatic dryers are ideal for heat-sensitive and oxygen-sensitive material including living microorganisms, probiotics, and proteins. It’s a high-throughput alternative to lyophilization/freeze drying or conventional spray drying.
FAQ
Does Fluid Air help me provide projections and data for my executive team, to show ROI and payback periods?
Yes.
How does it differ from traditional drying processes?
PolarDry operates within a product temperature range of 45-100°C, distinctively different from the temperature extremes of lyophilization and conventional spray drying.
How large are PolarDry® batches?
With PolarDry®, you need not do batch processing, you can operate it as a continuous production system. You can also switch to other production runs much faster than with traditional methods.
How does the PolarDry system work?
PolarDry Model 0.1
This portable, PLC-controlled, once-through design is ideal for small-scale feasibility tests. Specifically cGMP designed to fit in most lab and fume hoods.
PolarDry Model 001
Designed for a laboratory environment, this portable, PLC-controlled, once-through design is the choice for feasibility checks. cGMP design assures full features in a compact footprint.
PolarDry Model 004
A semi-portable, PLC-controlled, recirculating system well suited to R&D environments. Using the same nozzle as other popular PolarDry models makes it easier to scale up from one machine to the next. Includes portable access stairs and a work platform.
PolarDry Model 032
A modular, PLC-controlled intermediate system for pilot environments, model 032 gives you the choice of Batch Architect™ or Batch Architect Pro™ software with 21 CFR Part 11 compliant data logging. Includes access stairs and a work platform.
ELECTROSTATIC DRYER SPECIFICATIONS |
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| MODEL 0.1 | MODEL 001 | MODEL 004 | MODEL 032 | MODEL 050 | |||||
| Nom. Evaporation Rate (kg/hr) | 0.1 | 1 | 4 | 30 | 50 | ||||
| Min Drying Temp. (°C) | 20 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 10 | ||||
| Max Drying Temp. (°C) | 200 | 140 | 140 | 140 | 140 | ||||
| Max Drying Gas Flow (m3/hr) | 8.5 | 42 | 170 | 1020 | 1784 | ||||
| Max Atomizing Gas Flow (m3/hr) | 3 | 10 | 17 | 68 | 120 | ||||
| Collection Volume (liters) | 0.25 | 1 | 20 | 14 | 20 | ||||
| Drying Gas Heater | Electric | Electric | Electric | Electric | Indirect Gas | ||||
| Gas Handling | Once Through | Once Through | Recirculating | Recirculating | Recirculating | ||||
| Feed Stock Pump | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Nozzle Clog Monitoring | - | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| WIP Nozzles Included | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Filter System | Patent Pending Filter Bag | Patented Reverse Pulse Bag | Patented Reverse Pulse Bag | Reverse Pulse Cartridge | Reverse Pulse Cartridge | ||||
| Controls | NEMA 4X | NEMA 4X | NEMA 4X | NEMA 4X | NEMA 4X | ||||
| Controls Software | Batch Architect | Batch Architect | Batch Architect | Batch Architect | Batch Architect | ||||
Superior End-Product Stability
In a recent laboratory study, PolarDry electrostatic drying at 70°C, produced a more homogeneous dry powder of a temperature-sensitive formulation with greater stability and shelf life. This opens the door to a wide range of commercially viable opportunities across pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, foods, agriculture, and other industries.
Temperature-Sensitive Protection
PolarDry spray dryers utilize electrostatic technology to drive water to the outside of the droplet, allowing dramatically lower drying temperatures—from 40°C to 140°C. This leads to efficient drying by forcing the liquids outward, and the liquid layer protects the active components from the physical stress of the drying temperatures.
Space and Cost Efficiency
PolarDry systems feature small footprints to reduce maintenance and installation costs. Disposable inner liners make cleanup and changeover easy. Plus, many features and components are shared across the product line, streamlining the effort to scale up from one machine to the next.
Environmental Advantages
PolarDry systems feature nitrogen-inerted systems for exceptional safety. Process gas is recycled, virtually eliminating regulatory issues and safety challenges regarding negligible emissions.
Operator Dust Protection
Negative pressure spray chambers feature monitored inflatable seals. Finish material is collected in a centralized system—no cyclones or dust collectors required—and removed via sealed systems. High-efficiency filters feature a dust sensor on the exhaust and HEPA filters on the inlet and exhaust. Finally, wash-in-place nozzles clean the whole spray chamber before opening.
Quick Cleanup and Changeover
A patented liner system benefits overall operation, cleanup, and changeover. FDA-compliant liners are inserted in the spray chamber, covering the vessel walls and forming a thermal barrier that prevents heat loss to the process room and speeds warm-up. The liner may be washed using tank cleaning nozzles then removed for product changeover.
Consistently Precise Results
All PolarDry nozzles are designed by Spraying Systems, a global leader in spray technology. Each nozzle is precision machined to high tolerances to assure consistent droplet formation, and fully analyzed to assure Spraying Systems' high level of technical, droplet data, and analytical support.
Batch or Continuous Process Configurations
As the FDA and other global regulatory agencies push for continuous processing in pharmaceutical production, PolarDry technology is ready to meet your product demands. PolarDry processes incorporate a unique, patented collection/particle separation plenum that can be easily configured for batch or continuous processing.
Process Flexibility
PolarDry machines are designed for maximum customization and flexibility, including:
- Quick set up, thanks to the integration of a disposable inner chamber liner that can be changed in minutes
- Easy turnaround from one run to the next, through a patent-pending cartridge filter with reverse pulsing to ensure steady drying gas flow
- Compact, portable designs, so equipment can be easily transferred from one suite to another
- Models 001 and 004 are on wheels and fully contained, requiring only electricity, a nitrogen intake, and, for Model 004, an outside chiller to operate
- Models 032 and up, require only electricity, a nitrogen intake, and an outside chiller to operate
Designed-In Safety
- Nitrogen-inerting explosion protection
- Redundant oxygen monitor prevents operation if oxygen level is too high
- Rated lid safety lock and monitored inflatable seals prevent the operator from opening the vessel lid if oxygen level isn't safe (Model 004+)
- Heater over-temperature protection
- Emergency stop buttons and monitoring with safety reset; voltage generator resets if amperage exceeds 8 mA, protecting the operator
- Area oxygen monitoring
Customize Your System
A variety of thoughtful options are available:
- Explosion-proof, solvent-capable system
- Prepackaged chilled water systems
- Bach Architect Pro 21 CFR Part 11-compliant, recipe-based control system
- Material conveying systems
- Remote control system access