New energy recovery system for tablet coaters

Upto 50 per cent less steam energy consumption

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Romaco Tecpharm has developed a new energy recovery system (ERS) for tablet coaters. This innovative technology reduces thermal energy consumption (steam, hot water, oil or electricity) by up to 50 per cent. Moreover, the temperature of the outlet air is significantly lower. An integrated energy monitor measures all consumption in real time and determines the precise energy saving potential.

Romaco Tecpharm's new energy recovery system (ERS) enables up to 50 per cent savings in thermal energy consumption during tablet coating. The technology is based on the recovery of waste heat generated during the coating process. A cross-flow plate heat exchanger is integrated into the tablet coater's air handling unit (AHU) for this purpose. The inlet and outlet air flows in this recuperative system cross in opposite directions without coming into contact. To achieve this, the process air flows via separate air ducts which pass through the orthogonal plates of the ERS. The thermal energy is transmitted through these plates, whose rectangular shape guarantees homogeneous and efficient heat exchange. This innovative form of energy recovery for tablet coaters is protected by a utility model.

An end to waste

The coating process gives rise to intensive energy consumption because the tablets have to be sprayed with liquid coating suspension and dried in parallel. In order to dry the tablet bed, very hot and dry air introduced into the coater drum is guided through it. This causes the coating liquid to evaporate on the surface of the tablets, which are simultaneously coated with the solid particles in the coating suspension.