GEA Pharma Systems & J&M Analytik have won first prize in the Process Automation category of the Process Innovation Awards presented by Process, PharmaTEC and LaborPraxis at ACHEMA in Frankfurt. The award was won for the company’s already award-winning* Lighthouse Probe™, developed with J&M Analytik. The award was given to the most innovative appliances and processes on show at ACHEMA 2009.
The Lighthouse Probe™ solves the biggest issue of optical in-line analysers: product sticking to observation windows of the process analyser and thus creating false readings. It can be used with a variety of spectroscopic techniques, including NIR (Near Infrared), to take reliable in-process measurements of quality-critical product characteristics during processing, for example active content identification, uniformity, moisture content and coat growth during coating operations.
The probe is particularly useful when working with wet or sticky products when it is essential to ensure a clear view of the product. Conventional windows can easily become fouled when processing these types of products. The Lighthouse Probe™ uses an in-line, contained window wash to keep a clear view at all times without the need to stop the process. Further features are the in-line calibration as well as end of process full CIP (Clean-in-Place).
GEA Pharma Systems can offer trials and other demonstrations of the Lighthouse Probe™ technology in its technical centre in Bubendorf, Switzerland installed in an Aeromatic-Fielder™ Fluid Bed; and in its test centre in Wommelgem, Belgium installed in a Collette™ UltimaPro™ and Consigma™. Further testing is achievable using semi-manual probes if required.
In both tests and production reference sites, the Lighthouse Probe™ has shown performance and accuracy greatly superior to traditional off-line laboratory measurements. The technology thus delivers continuous, precise and reliable data paving the way for dramatic improvements in process understanding and control and hence enabling PAT.
GEA Pharma Systems supplies its Lighthouse Probe™ with all new equipment as well as for retrofits and continues to use its extensive experience in process equipment design to develop new products and extend the applications for its existing range.
(*The Lighthouse Probe™ won the VR-Mittelstand Innovation Prize 2008 for J&M Analytik presented to the company in Stuttgart this March and the ‘Key to Success’ award at the Polish Pharma Conference in Poznan in 2007.)
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Steve Jordan
The Words Workshop Ltd.
26 Swanwick Lane, Milton Keynes, MK10 9LD
Tel: (44) (0) 1908 695500 Fax: (44) (0) 1908 690099
Email: steve@thewordsworkshop.co.uk
All business enquiries to:
Tomas Vermeire
Product Sales Manager
GEA Pharma Systems nv
Tel: +32 3 350 12 58
Email: tomas.vermeire@geagroup.com
Photo caption: Receiving the award on the GEA stand at ACHEMA Thomas Vermeire (right), Product Sales Manager for Lighthouse Probe™; Trevor Page, Division Technical Director for GEA Pharma Systems; and Joachim Mannnhardt, General Manager of J&M Analytik.