Milling can be designed as a completely contained process. This is particularly important when processing high potency APIs. Hanningfield can help you to achieve a dust-free milling process, often without restricting throughput. Below we explore some of the options available.
Container-to-Container Milling
This method uses gravity to feed the product through the mill by positioning the containers on the inlet and outlet of the mill. With dust-tight transfer between the containers, powder flows into the milling chamber and, once processed, into the lower container. To maintain high containment, the process will often integrate split valves on the mill inlet and outlet.
This setup has a compact footprint, by keeping the process in-line. In addition, it also protects the operator and environment from exposure to the product, while vice-versa protecting the product from any contaminants in the environment.
Milling Inside an Isolator
Milling inside an isolator is an effective way to process highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients (HAPIs).
This puts a physical barrier around the mill-head, to guarantee all material is contained during milling. This ensures the fine dust particles produced are not exposed to either the atmosphere or operator during processing. This high containment approach protects the operator, environment and material itself.
In-Line Vacuum Milling
Integrating vacuum transfer with milling offers an array of advantages to the process. Not only does this method keep the process dust-tight, but it also increases throughput whilst keeping the product cool. This enables for faster transfer to the downstream process.
This dust-tight transfer method provides a cost-effective and automated solution for the transfer of powders.
Wet-in-Place (WIP)
This is a commonly used method to speed up the cleaning process of equipment, wetting down and removing most surface material prior to further cleaning. Usually, retractable spray balls and other similar technologies are utilised.
Hanningfield can offer WIP on a variety of machines, including conical mills, vacuum transfer systems and cyclones. We can offer various types of WIP Nozzle to satisfy your requirement, including fixed spray ball, retractable nozzle, ATEX rated and more.
Get in Touch
If you would like to speak to one of our experts regarding our Contained Milling Solutions or you would like a quote for one of our products, send us a message using our Contact Form or call us on +44 (0)1702 549 777.
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