Application Note
Application Note
LAUDA develops customized multiloop systems for an internationally operating pharmaceutical corporation
For a leading chemical and pharmaceutical corporation, LAUDA has designed and built two heating and cooling systems that provide temperature control for multi-step production, individually and specifically adapted to customer requirements.
Industry background
The pharmaceutical industry is characterized by continuous process optimization and the implementation of innovative technologies. Especially in the development and production of active ingredient intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API = Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient), precise temperature control solutions are indispensable.
The long-standing collaboration with leading technology partners, such as LAUDA, enables the development of customized solutions for demanding chemical processes.
Requirements
For multi-step production at a major customer's headquarters, LAUDA has already provided a customized system in the past. For expansion, two additional systems were requested to enable pilot production of APIs. The requirements catalog included the following conditions:
Successful collaboration and individual solutions
In addition to the technical requirements, other factors come into play. What distance does the system have to the application, at what height must the connections be, how much space is available, and are there heating or cooling sources on site? These and other parameters are considered alongside the customer and factored into system planning. This results in customized systems that are precisely adapted to the specific situation and application. The successful collaboration on the first heating and cooling system from LAUDA was so convincing that two additional multiloop solutions have now been implemented.
Multiloop – the modular compact system
Depending on requirements, LAUDA offers a range of heating and cooling solutions for pilot production, from process thermostats to complete systems. The multiloop system is characterized by the free combination possibilities of various heating, cooling, and deep-freezing modules, as well as a space-saving, customized design. In the present case, the required temperature range is −9 to 90 °C. However, since the customer can provide cooling brine at −9 °C themselves, only heat-transfer modules are required in both systems. Alternatively, LAUDA could install process cooling systems, such as SUK units, as additional modules.
For the two process steps, a Multiloop 8 ML 350 and a 4 ML 350 were created, respectively, equipped with eight and four separate temperature control circuits and able to provide the individually required flow rate, temperature level, and output. In the case of the Multiloop 8 ML 350, two modules each were built on top of each other, and four module rows in total. This reduces space requirements by approximately 35 percent compared to eight individual units. All temperature control circuits share a central cooling line, which is split to the individual temperature control units as needed, depending on requirements. This contributes to better system performance, in this case, to lower cooling demand, compared to eight individual units.
In addition to the cooling or heating units, the touchpanel for controlling and parameterizing the individual temperature- control units is the central element of the multiloop systems. The system was connected to the customer's process control system via an OPC UA interface.
Ideal for integrated multi-step production with high hazard potential
The scaling of chemical processes often increases hazard potential, as larger batch sizes can lead to more strongly exothermic reactions or greater release of toxic substances. The eight- or four-channel system allows operation of small flow reactors, each connected individually to a temperature control circuit. This way, the batch quantities in the individual reactor can be kept small, and the hazard potential for people and the environment is minimized, while the larger production quantity is nevertheless achieved through 24/7 operation of the system. In this modular way, larger production quantities can be safely realized. Production capacities are optimally utilized.
Conclusion
Based on the individual engineering system planning at LAUDA, the heating and cooling systems can be designed and implemented precisely to customer specifications. This creates systems optimized for process engineering and energy technology, directly tailored to process or customer requirements, which, for example, enable better production results, improved safety, and higher yields.
Learn how our solutions can make your processes more efficient
In accordance with the principle of "modular engineering,” LAUDA plans and builds systems precisely to the customer's wishes: process-oriented, made-to-measure and precisely following the regulations, and compliant with the strictest safety standards. Within the temperature range from -150 to 550 °C, LAUDA systems heat and cool with an accuracy of up to one tenth of a degree Celsius. Since the requirements for constant temperature equipment are continuously growing, the modern LAUDA heating and cooling modules are also flexible as far as expansion and modification are concerned.
Project planning is our specialty. Working closely together with our customers, we design customized systems during the planning process. The keyword is modular engineering. With proven building blocks that are put together for the application, you get custom-tailored solutions. Matching of target and actual values requires precise planning of all interfaces. Each individual LAUDA planning component has been proven many times over and undergoes continuous further development. This is how we can guarantee a high quality standard.
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