Unit Operation: Fluid Bed Drying Monitoring

The ePAT 641 Fluid Bed Drier is a real time, continuous PAT analyzer developed specifically for the pharmaceutical industry. The system accurately monitors and allows for optimization of the drying rate by predicting moisture loss to a consistent endpoint.

The instrument is capable of measuring samples through a site glass window located on the bowl of the fluid bed drier.

The ePAT 641 Fluid bed Drier Monitor also comprises an on-board computer and a remote measuring head. The system communicates with a remote base station computer, so that measurements can be viewed and recorded in real time.

The measuring head is configured for convenient, non-contact analysis with a nominal 30mm measurement area and a standard focal distance of 18mm for site glass windows less than 12mm thick and an optional measurement head with a focal distance of 38 mm for windows greater than 12mm thick.

The system contains a Diode Array based NIR spectrometer with InGaAs Diode Array Detector. The measuring head connected to the spectrometer via a fiber optic.

Outline Specification of ePAT641 Fluid Bed Drying Monitor

Wavelength Range	950-1700 nm
Resolution	3 nm
Wavelength Accuracy	± 1 nm (NIST SRM2036)
Wavelength Reproducibility	< 0.1 nm
Base Line Drift	< 2mAU/Hr (across entire wavelength range)
Light Source	Tungsten Halogen
Noise	1mAU
Power	110/240VAC
Sampling Interface	Non-contact
Sampling Area	30 mm
Working Distance	Two options : 18mm or 38mm
Enclosure	Zone 1 Class 1 Division 1 (ATEX & NFPA) cGMP Compliant, IP65
Size (Enclosure)	360 mm H x 580 mm W x 150 mm D
Size (Head)	193 mm H x 101 mm D
Communication	Wireless 802.11G with WPA security and an optional direct Ethernet connection
Computer	Embedded, ruggedized, removable flash memory

Measuring Head

A key component of the ePAT641 Fluid Bed Drier monitoring system is the Non-Contact measuring heads. There are two options, both with a 30 mm diameter collection area:

• Option 1: 38 mm working distance for OMK 23 head (> 12 mm thick windows)
• Option2: 18 mm working distance for OMK 45 head (< 12 mm thick windows)

Fiber Optic

Standard fiber optic length is 1.8 m, but lengths of up to 5 m can be configured. The separation of spectrometer and head via a fiber optic length allows flexibility in implementing the ePAT641 on the widest range of fluid bed driers possible.