Pharmaceutical Filter-Dryer
Designed for pharmaceutical environments requiring strict cGMP compliance, the Comber pharmaceutical filter-dryer combines filtration, washing, reslurrying, and vacuum drying in a single closed vessel. Its construction and finish ensure product purity, process reproducibility, and easy validation.
Pharmaceutical Filter-Dryer – Comber powered by De Dietrich
In pharmaceutical production, filter-dryers are expected to support safety, reproducibility, cleanability and long-term operational stability. Comber pharmaceutical filter-dryers are engineered with these requirements in mind, integrating multiple process steps within a single contained unit.
Pressofiltro design for filter-dryer
The Pressofiltro agitator is a characteristic feature of Comber designs. Its heated hollow shaft and carefully shaped arms ensure uniform contact with the product, supporting controlled cake movement and consistent heat transfer throughout the drying phase.
Performance Through Smart Design
Performance is defined by how design choices translate into reliable operation, reproducible drying results and safe product handling throughout pharmaceutical production campaigns.
Process safety and reliable uptime
Pharmaceutical processes require stable operation over extended production campaigns. Comber pharmaceutical filter-dryers rely on robust mechanical assemblies, proven sealing concepts and controlled operating conditions to ensure predictable performance while limiting operator intervention and unplanned downtime.
Consistent drying and product quality
Drying performance directly impacts product quality and batch reproducibility. The Pressofiltro agitator promotes homogeneous heat distribution across the cake and gentle handling of fragile crystals, helping achieve stable residual solvent levels from batch to batch.
Hygienic design and controlled discharge
Attention to cleanability is central to the design: smooth internal surfaces, reduced dead zones and accessible seals support efficient CIP procedures. Cleaning performance can be validated using riboflavin testing when required, providing visual confirmation of coverage.
Controlled discharge
The unique Heel break technology allows automatic and contained discharge. It is particularly effective for products that tend to form a crust.
During discharge, containment can be reinforced through pack-off solutions available within the De Dietrich portfolio, ensuring a coherent approach to operator safety and powder handling.
Unique automatic discharge under containment
In pharmaceutical production, complete and repeatable product discharge is essential to ensure batch consistency and avoid cross-contamination. The heel break system is designed to detach the final product layer from the vessel bottom in a controlled manner, eliminating residual product zones after drying. When combined with the Whirl Snake option, which guides the product progressively toward the discharge valve, the system enables gentle and reproducible emptying without manual intervention. This controlled discharge supports higher yields, reduces cleaning effort between campaigns, and contributes to stable, validated operation in cGMP environments.
ATEX-compliant configurations are available for solvent-rich environments, supporting safe operation in facilities handling flammable vapours.
Trials & Rentals
For process development and scale-up, the De Dietrich Tech Lab offers dedicated facilities—including ATEX-compatible areas—where filtration and drying behaviour can be evaluated prior to industrial implementation.
Want to know more?
More technical details and alternative designs available within De Dietrich, including chemical configurations, can be found on the corresponding product page :
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