Pharmaceutical Industry
- Sterilization through solar steam or solar hot air
- Granulation through solar hot air
Pharmaceutical industry produces multiple products such as tablets, capsules, ointments, liquids and powder. The manufacturing processes are generally highly energy intensive and the requirement of the thermal and electrical energy varies depending on the product. The thermal energy requirement typically consists of low pressure steam (~ 5 bar, 150°C), hot water (60 – 80°C). Some of the industries also require hot air at 60 – 80°C in large quantities. This temperature ranges are very much suitable for the integration of solar thermal systems in the process. Two typical processes in pharmaceutical industry that require heat in some form are explained below. The processes that can be served with Clique Solar’sARUN® concentrated solar thermal(CST)/ solar boiler system, are marked with (*)
Sterilization:
All the equipments used for pharmaceutical processing as well as the APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients are required to be sterilized. Different types of sterilizers e.g. Steam Sterilizer, Dry Heat Sterilizer, Sterilizing Tunnel, CIP System (Cleaning in Place), SIP System (Sterilization in Place) use heat in different ways. Sterilizers can use either hot air or steam for sterilization of the products (medicines). The hot air is used generally at 160°C at least for 2hours. The sterilizers that use steam have pressure range up to 2 bar-121°C. Concentrated solar thermal technologies (CST) can be of great help in this process.
Granulation:
Granulation is a size enlargement process which converts small particles into physically stronger &larger agglomerates. There are several types of granulation processes e.g. wet granulation, fluid bed granulation, spray drying granulation etc. the granulation process typically requires hot air at 60-70°C at very high flow rate up to 250 m³/hr.Another process where CST technologies are applicable.
Clique Solar has received developmental support from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and I.I.T. Bombay for its ARUN Solar Boiler Technology