Charles Ross & Son, based in Hauppauge, NY in the US, has added a new range of compounding and filling vessels with magnetically-coupled turbine agitator for pharmaceutical, biotech, cosmetic, food and other sterile applications.
The 60-litre version stirs a low-viscosity suspension as it is being discharged under pressure of nitrogen and filled into vials, syringes or other containers. Particles that tend to settle out easily are constantly blended to ensure accurate composition throughout the discharging/filling process.
The magnetically-coupled turbine floats during operation up to 490rpm. Because it is bottom-mounted, complete mixing is ensured regardless of batch level. It is optimised for cleaning and sterilisation and there are no mechanical seals or stuffing boxes to pose a contamination risk. In between batches, a CIP tube and spray ball assembly is lowered into the vessel. Cleaning solution is sprayed in a 360° pattern at 34–53gpm (15–37psi).
The portable vessel is rated for 375psi to full vacuum at 250°F. Both the vessel and jacket are ASME Code stamped and board certified. All wetted parts are stainless steel 316L with 240-grit (<20Ra) finish, electropolished and passivated. The vessel is easily wheeled from one location to another using swivel casters and FDA-compliant anti-microbial wheels with brakes.
The vessels with magnetically-coupled agitators can be built for any custom size up to 20,000 litres working volume. A Ross SysCon NEMA 4X control panel is supplied with touchscreen display for speed, load, time and temperature. This panel is mounted to the vessel and pre-wired to the mixer motor and RTD thermowell.