All of the Blenders available from Buck Systems™ can be fitted with
Process Analytical Technologies such as Light Induced Florescence (LIF) or
Near-Infrared (NIR) systems.
NIR - Process Analytical Technology
Buck Systems™ uses Near-Infrared to measure actual powder
conditions inside the IBC as it is blended. Ingredient movement can be
monitored online, as the blending occurs; this real-time data allows increased
understanding of powder behaviour.
An additional benefit of this analytical technology is that the behaviour of
all the ingredients within the IBC can be accurately monitored, where as
traditionally the focus has been on the active ingredient only.
By having the results of the completed blend available at the end of the
process, the
batch can go immediately to the next process, without the need
to take samples and analyse the results, saving time and money.
The containment of the system is greatly improved because sampling, a task
that directly
exposes the operator to the product, can be avoided.
Enhanced Design for PAT with IBC Blending
The technology works by using a measuring head – using either NIR or LIF –
mounted onto the rotating blending head which views into the IBC via a viewing
window mounted on the wall of the IBC. An onboard data analyser interprets the
data from the IBC, and sends the data
back to the PC, which has
sophisticated software to allow users to monitor the powder
movement and to
confirm that the product has arrived at a homogeneous blend.
Buck Systems™ have successfully integrated all of this instrumentation onto
a rotating assembly within GMP enclosures. Power is supplied to the
instrumentation through a specially designed slip ring, which means the
instruments have a permanent and uninterrupted power source. Proximity switches
discretely located in the blending head activate the measuring head at
precisely the right time to trigger the data acquisition.