MTS – Vacuum Conveyance Transfer with Rigid Isolator

Charging materials from drums to process equipment can present a number of challenges; containment of hazardous powders, risks of deflagration when solvents are present, efficiently charging high volumes of material, and performing integrated process steps like weighing or crushing of powders.

The Rheo MTS: Rigid Isolator with Vacuum Conveyance configuration delivers a complete material handling package to address these challenges:

• Fully contained closed transfer for handling highly toxic products and APIs with containment of 1-0.01 µg/m³.
• The rigid glovebox can be equipped with an automated nitrogen purging system to regulate the isolator environment and reduce the oxygen concentration to less than 1%.
• The system’s vacuum hopper allows for remote transfer utilizing any vacuum source: evacuated process vessel, existing vacuum system, or Rheo’s Vacuum Conveyance System for transfer rates up to 3100kg/hr.
• Small footprint and mobile unit for quick deployment and flexibility of use for multiple applications.
• Limited cleaning required, allowing for fast change-over times.

The rigid glovebox can be controlled by a programmable logic controller to monitor and maintain a safe operating environment within the glovebox. The operating conditions are customized to a specific application and automatically change based on what mode the glovebox is in. A touch-screen HMI is used to control the operating mode and to display the system conditions or give user prompts. Glovebox pressure and oxygen concentrations are the two primary operating conditions that are controlled. 

The Vacuum Conveyance Transfer Module uses a hopper to hold product before it is pulled away using a vacuum source for vacuum conveyance. For Rigid Closed Transfer Containment, the top of the transfer module will be connected to the glovebox using an inflatable seal, or a short transfer chute, and the bottom is connected to a vacuum hose. Using this process to provide containment has been documented to keep operator particle exposure to 1-0.01 µg/m³.

For difficult powders the hopper can integrate the Rheo proprietary Actively Managed Plug Prevention Technology (AMPP) to optimize the product conveyance throughput. AMMP is a controls and automation sequence that monitors the powder flow in the vacuum line and automatically activates flow aids when material begins to build up in the line.

The integrated weighing system provides a compact solution for the weighing and dispensing operation. The weighing module that holds the receiving container is isolated from the workstation to provide excellent weighing accuracy.

The typical integrated weighing system includes the following features:

• 150 kg Weighing Capacity
• Mettler Toledo IND570 or IND560X Readout
• 4X Mettler Toledo Load Cells
• Weigh Accuracy to +/- 50 grams (higher accuracy, low capacity options are available)
• Can be Integrated with Computer, PLC, or Printer

By designing around an analysis of operator movements during the drum charging process, an unmatched level of safety, operating simplicity, and functionality is achieved. The integrated Drum Tipper raises the drum to a position that allows the operator to have easy access to the drum contents by using a single hand or foot control. This approach to drum handling allows the operator to easily control the product flow during the entire charging process.

All exposed surfaces on the Material Transfer Station can be fully washed-down for cleaning. Some configurations of the Material Transfer Station include WIP spray-ball systems to wash the product contact surfaces.

The Rheo design library and fast track design services allow our team to efficiently tailor our products to meet the specific requirements of each application. During the design phase, the Rheo engineering team analyzes the application to develop a custom and comprehensive material handling solution. By using standard options as well as custom-designed features, a GMP operator-centric design can be achieved. Various 3rd party components such as mills, RTP’s, or HEPA/carbon filters are often integrated into Rheo equipment to provide a custom turnkey product or system of products.

Powder handling can be a challenging process and there are many factors that lead to the optimal solution. We can handle the risk for you! Our Testing Center is equipped to test your materials, allowing us to design the best solution for your specific needs. We don’t just sell a product – we sell a solution.

We can utilize the Testing Center for process testing, powder flow testing, transfer rate testing, concentration testing, and containment performance verification.

Reach out to your Regional Sales Manager to discuss the testing of your next bulk powder handling project.