7. 3. 2024

How to remove micron-sized metal particles from a glucose solution in pharmaceutical production? (case study)

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Problem

After chemical analyses, there was found a residual amount of ferrous particles in the glucose. Such a condition was undesirable. Metals get into the glucose in the form of the wear dust from the piping through which the glucose is transported. So, we speak about micrometer-sized ferrous contaminants!

The aim was to remove these particles from the product. Considering that this is a pharmaceutical production with strict hygiene standards, the magnetic separator had to be made of stainless steel.

The processed glucose is led through pipes with a diameter of 200 mm, with a maximum hourly capacity of 230 m³/h!

The glucose temperature can reach up to 150 °C!

Solution

The pipeline magnetic separator was placed in a DN 200 pipeline in front of a glucose mixer. We had to meet several requirements:

• Separate 1 micron-sized ferrous particles!
• Equip the magnetic separator with magnets withstanding temperatures up to 150 °C.
• Design a separator that would handle the required hourly capacity.
• All separator components had to be made of stainless steel.

Considering the high material temperature we used neodymium magnets with a resistance of up to 150 °C (transport routes are completely thermally insulated to prevent material temperature loss). By the way, we can make the magnetic filters also in a double wall (jacketed) version, but in this case the customer did not ask for this solution (the jacketed filters are used in heated pipeline applications where the temperature is critical to the product viscosity, i. e., the separator tempering prevents the cleaned products - such as chocolate, syrups, jams, sauces - from solidifying).

Since the contamination with ferromagnetic particles was not intense (only a few grams of iron dust were separated during one hour of operation), the application of a magnetic trap with manual cleaning was sufficient.

Benefits of using the magnetic filter MSP-S 200 N OCTOPUS:

• Thanks to the installation of the pipeline magnetic separator, ferrous contaminants were reliably removed.  
• Several grams of iron particles were captured during one hour of operation and the customer was satisfied with the magnetic separation result.
•  The final product meets the quality requirements even for use in pharmaceutical production.

Applied equipment: Magnetic filter MSP-S 200 N OCTOPUS

Advantages of the magnetic filter MSP-S 200 N OCTOPUS

• 5-year warranty
• Low weight = easy handling
• Neodymium magnets with induction up to 13,500 G
• Budget version (attractive price/performance ratio)
• Standard design for 10 bar pressure
• Capturing Fe particles in size from 1 micron
• Quick and easy cleaning
• Possibility of exchanging magnetic rods
• Double-sheathed protection of magnets