PharmaIndustrial India Magazine September-October 2023

ANRETWICSLE PHARMA INDUSTRIALINDIA · SEP-OCT 23 20 It is imperative that all contaminants are removed from com- pressed air before it is used in the end application. It involves carefully evaluating the entire system, as discussed in the above section, the right type of compressor in the system, and selecting the right systems both upstream and downstream of the compressor. Oil free air compressors are designed fundamentally to avoid additional oil particles or aerosols via the compressor lubri- cants. The atmospheric air is the source of contamination. To main- tain air quality, the environment inside the compressor room should ideally be free of contaminants. However, in practical situations, this may only sometimes be feasible. In such cases, chemical filters, high dust filters, or pre-filters should be used on the upstream side of the compressor. Compressed air treatment systems on the downstream side of the compressor are tailored to meet specific air quality re - quirements, flow rates, pressures, temperatures, desired dew points, and the location of the compressed air system in rela- tion to its applications. Lower Life Cycle Cost of Operation The life cycle cost of compressors has three critical compo- nents: • Initial investment cost • Power Cost of running the compressor • Maintenance and consumables Oil-flooded compressors with downstream filters might appeal to be a very cost-effective solution in the beginning. A lot of times, ‘oil-less’ or ‘technical oil-free’ air is perceived to be ‘oil- free’ air. This is not true. Even with the best of filtration on the downstream side of compressors, the air quality will not ex- ceed Class 1, which is not completely oil-free. They also call for a lot of maintenance over their life cycle – oil filters, oil change, oil separators, downstream side filters, oil-water separators, and non-lube modules. Hence, it is important that while mak- ing a compressor selection, one must not focus on just initial investment but consider all the above factors involved coupled with air quality requirements. Oil-free compressors, coupled with efficient control systems, not only improve air quality but also reduce the overall cost of compressed air in pharmaceutical manufacturing. This shift transforms compressed air from a cost driver into a source of cost efficiency and aligns with corporate responsibility, includ - ing minimising environmental impact. Air compressors deployed in pharmaceutical industry should be of oil-free nature with good downstream side air dryers and filters. Moisture in air can lead to unwanted viable particulates and impact drug quality. Hence, the pharmaceutical industry prefers to have a PDP of -20C to -40C. Hence, it is always rec- ommended to go with Desiccant dryers, which can consistent- ly deliver lower dew points than refrigerated dryers. In conclusion, compressed air quality is of paramount im- portance in the pharmaceutical industry. Properly purified compressed air ensures product integrity, compliance with stringent regulations, and reliable operations. Therefore, pharmaceutical companies must partner with air compressor manufacturers to select the right products, maintain statutory compliance, and achieve a lower life cycle cost of operation, all while meeting the ever-increasing quality demands of the industry. By addressing these critical aspects, the pharmaceu- tical industry can continue to thrive and contribute to global healthcare solutions.