Falcon automates filtration and washing operation studies
Filtration Robot Assistant combines real-time machine vision with robotics
Scientists from GlaxoSmithKline have worked with Cambridge Reactor Design on the development of the Falcon Filtration Robot Assistant, to automate the studies required to explore filtration and washing operations.
The Falcon collects all the data needed to understand filtration and washing processes by combining real-time machine vision with robotics. Repetitive tasks are performed day and night with high levels of accuracy.
Isolation of solids is a major bottleneck in many production processes. Filtration studies can be performed to provide information on cake resistance, cake compressibility and liquor viscosity to optimise the isolation procedure, predict processing times on scale-up and aid equipment selection.
Washing studies generate additional process understanding by identifying effective wash regimes for the removal of impurities while minimising product loss and solvent usage. Optimisation of the final wash solvent composition can reduce the impact on the drying process. The combined outcome of these studies is improved processes, better scheduling and minimised bottlenecks.
The Falcon carries out all the tests needed to determine filtration characteristics under diverse processing conditions. It compares batches from different crystallisation conditions and those prepared using different input source material. In addition, it determines the effect of scale-up on product formed and determines the optimum filtration and washing conditions.
The Falcon platform provides filtration and washing of up to 50ml slurry and up to six washes with different wash composition and multiple samples. Variable parameters include pressure (0.2–1.8 Bar) and temperature (10–50ºC).
