The Thermo Scientific™ Pharma 16 Twin-Screw Extruder enables the rapid development of pharmaceutical formulations and adoption of continuous processing.
The Pharma 16 Twin-Screw Extruder can easily switch between continuous hot melt extrusion (HME) and wet granulation (TSG). Drug process development parameters can be optimized with less time and effort than traditional batch methods, while scale-up to larger Thermo Scientific™ extruders can be achieved using minimal quantities of costly APIs and excipients.
The Pharma 16 Twin-Screw Extruder is well-suited for pilot-scale continuous HME or TSG processes applied in pharmaceutical research, development, or production. By adopting a continuous process for solid dosage forms rather than a batch approach, companies can accelerate time-to-market while maintaining high product quality.
The influence of pilot-scale processing conditions on drug formulations, drug delivery, and pharmaceutical applications can be effectively evaluated using the Pharma 16 Twin-Screw Extruder.
Pharma 16 Twin-Screw Extruder Highlights:
- 2-in-1 Process Design: Rapidly remove components for convenient cleaning and seamless process changeover from HME to TSG.
- Simple Continuous Integration: Plug-and-play functionality with upstream and downstream equipment – like feeders, chill rolls, pelletizers, and dryers – streamlines production line design.
- Less Optimization Time, Cost, and Effort: Extruder process parameters can be scaled to larger Thermo Scientific extruders due to geometric similarity, while requiring minimal amounts of costly ingredients.
Pharma 16 Twin-Screw Extruder. Image Credit: Thermo Fisher Scientific – Materials Characterization
Pharma 16 Twin-Screw Extruder. Image Credit: Thermo Fisher Scientific – Materials Characterization
Specifications
Source: Thermo Fisher Scientific – Materials Characterization
| . |
. |
| Barrel |
Barrel Length 40:1 L/D,7 barrel zones (1st zone permanent cooled) and 1 die heater |
| Barrel Zones |
7 barrel zones (1st zone permanent cooled) + 1 die heater |
| Center Line Spacing |
1050 mm |
| Description |
Pharma 16 Twin-Screw Extruder |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) |
1750 x 610 x 1220 mm |
| Electrical Requirements |
400 V 3Ph +N + PE (± 10 %) |
| IP Rating |
IP54 |
| Length (English) |
Screw length: HME L/D = 40 (40 x 16 mm = 640 mm), TSG L/D = 40.75 (40.75 x 16 mm = 652 mm) |
| Max. Torque |
18 Nm/Screw |
| Pressure |
150 bar |
| Temperature Range (Metric) |
HME: 10 to 300 °C, TSG: 10 to 100 °C |
| Throughput |
HME: 0.5-5 kg/h / TSG: 1-15 kg/h (depending on formulation) |
| Weight (Metric) |
350 kg |
| Barrel Length L/D |
40:1 |
| Max. Speed |
1000 rpm |
| Speed Range |
10 to 1000 rpm |
| Unit Size |
Each |
Video Credit: Thermo Fisher Scientific – Materials Characterization