MTS – Vacuum Conveyance Transfer with Rigid Isolator

The Rheo Material Transfer Station is a small footprint workstation that improves operator safety and efficiency during the material transfer and weighing process. The operator workstation with the integrated drum tipper provides a compact, GMP, ergonomic means of transferring material.

The Material Transfer Station with Rigid Glovebox Containment is designed for highly contained, closed transfers for highly toxic products and APIs. Containment levels of 1-0.01 µg/m³ can be achieved via the rigid glovebox.

Rheo has conducted performance verification tests on the Material Transfer Station. The tests showed excellent results for each of the different configurations tested. Copies of the executive summary, full reports, and supplemental documentation are available upon request.

The Vacuum Conveyance configuration is used to transfer materials from drums to another vessel using a vacuum hose. The Material Transfer Station can utilize any vacuum source and delivers a complete package that addresses ergonomics, containment, and inerting concerns often associated with material transfer systems.

Rheo can provide the entire material transfer package including the vacuum pump and receivers or we can utilize your existing vacuum system to deliver a more ergonomic and contained dump station. The Material Transfer Station with Vacuum Conveyance can also be used to pull product directly into an evacuated process vessel so that a separate receiver is not required.

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.

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. 

• Subsurface Vacuum Additions
• Small Port Vacuum Additions
• Dry Granulation
• Wet Granulation
• Blender Filling
• Vessel Filling

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
• Load Cell and Readout are Washdown Rated for Cleanability
• Weigh Accuracy to +/- 50 grams
• Can be Integrated with Computer, PLC, or Printer
• High accuracy, low capacity options are available

The integrated pneumatic Drum Tipper can be used to lift a wide variety of incoming containers and slide it towards the operator for easy dispensing into the receiving container. Pneumatic controls provide safe, controlled operation of the Material Transfer Station.

• 150 kg Drum Capacity
• Pneumatic Drive System (90 psig, 8 scfm Clean, Compressed Air)
• Material of Construction: 304 Stainless Steel Frame Structure, 316 Stainless Steel Drum Cradle and 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. 

By designing around an analysis of operator movements during the drum charging process, an unmatched level of safety, operating simplicity, and functionality is achieved. A drum can be raised, lowered, and tipped into the proper position 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. 

Rheo offers several different Surface Finish options to fit your application needs.

Visit our GMP Compliance page to learn more.