Design of a pilot plant-type pharmaceutical reactor to address the problem of interchangeability of generic semisolid formulations

FRENQUELLI, EMILIANO; REAL, DANIEL; PIERELLA, LILIANA; REAL, JUAN; PALMA, SANTIAGO

Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy

Taylor and Francis Ltd.

Lugar: London; Año: 2023 vol. 49 p. 703 - 714

Objective and Significance: This research aims to design and develop a pilot plant-type pharmaceutical reactor with a strong focus on its volumetric capacity and heat transfer capabilities. The primary goal is to replicate design and control strategies at the laboratory or pilot scale to analyze and produce generic semisolid formulations.Methods: Computational fluid dynamics and heat transfer modeling, utilizing the finite volume method, were employed to determine the reactor´s performance and particle trajectory during the mixing and stirring. This allowed for the establishment of optimal operational parameters and variables. Furthermore, prototypes were constructed at 1:2.5 and 1:15 scales to examine the reactor´s morphology, ensure volumetric versatility, and conduct mixing, homogenization, and coloration tests using varying volumes.Results and Conclusions: The outcomes of this study yielded a versatile reactor suitable for processing pharmaceutical semisolids at both laboratory and pilot-scale volumes. Notably, the reactor demonstrated exceptional volumetric capacity within a single vessel while effectively facilitating heat transfer to its interior.