An efficient process chain for reception, conveying and filling
The processing of the high-purity CBD powder begins in the manufacturer’s incoming goods area with the receipt and emptying of the delivered drums. HECHT’s mobile FE-L drum discharge station, designed specifically for pharmaceutical applications, is used for this purpose. It enables ergonomic, low-dust and virtually complete emptying of drums with or without liners.
The integrated counterbalanced suction lance makes handling easier for operators and reduces fatigue during repeated use. A vacuum causes the liner to fit closely against the drum wall, allowing the powder to be removed almost completely.
The discharged CBD powder is then conveyed via the PCC 200 pneumatic batch conveyor. Positioned above the filling line, it transfers the powder hygienically under vacuum. Before the powder is filled into big bags, it passes through a weighing compensator that balances weight fluctuations during the conveying process. The final step of this process stage takes place at the big bag filling station, which is equipped with an integrated digital weighing system.
The LBK-EF liner filling head with continuous liner enables contamination-free, precise and safe filling of the powder into the big bags. Front access and the GMP-compliant docking system ensure consistent, low-dust filling while providing maximum protection for both the product and the operator.
Safe high-containment handling and reactor loading
In the next process step, the powder is discharged from the big bags and transferred to a further processing line. A big bag discharge station with LAS-EF is used for this purpose, enabling high-containment handling up to OEB 5. The system reliably protects not only the sensitive product but also the operators and the production environment from contamination. The integrated suction shoe transfers the powder directly into a downstream vacuum conveying system.
This conveying system is fully CIP-capable (Clean-In-Place) and can be cleaned without dismantling. In order to meet the stringent safety requirements, particularly regarding explosion protection in accordance with ATEX, the entire conveying process is inerted with nitrogen. This ensures safe, hygienic and controlled product transfer.
A vapour barrier is integrated before the powder is transferred into the pharmaceutical reactor. It effectively prevents backflow from the reactor into the conveying system, safeguarding both product safety and process stability. Finally, the CBD powder is precisely metered into the reactor for further processing, for example to manufacture the finished medicinal product in accordance with strict GMP requirements.
Reinigung und GMP-konforme Prozesssicherheit
GMP compliance and process safety are the primary focus during both the handling and cleaning of the systems used. The open design and smooth surfaces of the mobile FE-L drum discharge station make manual cleaning particularly user-friendly. All product-contact parts are easily accessible and can be cleaned hygienically, supporting compliance with pharmaceutical standards.
The ProClean Conveyor PCC 200 used for powder conveying offers additional advantages. It is fully CIP-capable and equipped with integrated spray nozzles that enable automated internal cleaning.
Cleaning is performed using defined rinsing cycles and can be fully documented without dismantling the system. This minimises downtime while improving process safety and cleaning quality.
Overall, every component is precisely tailored to the requirements of pharmaceutical production. The systems enable validatable, reproducible and traceable process control, which is essential when handling pharmaceutically active substances such as high-purity CBD. In addition to product safety, the technical solutions also focus on protecting employees and the environment.