A new type of medicinal material percolation system

Abstract

The invention discloses a novel medicinal material percolation system, belonging to the technical field of pharmaceutical equipment; the system comprises two parallel percolation tanks (12), a "Ψ"-shaped anti-blocking percolation liquid precipitation unit (1) and an adjustable liquid flow unit; the "Ψ"-shaped anti-blocking percolation liquid precipitation unit (1) comprises two percolation liquid outflow pipes (2), a "cross" four-way quick-install interface (3), a precipitation collection pipe (4), a micropowder precipitation buffer (6) and a connecting pipe (13); the upper and lower ends of the "cross" four-way interface (3) are respectively connected to the micropowder precipitation buffer (6) and the precipitation collection pipe (4); the invention can obtain clarified percolation liquid, and the percolation liquid can pass through the adjustable liquid flow meter without hindrance, thereby realizing real-time control of the percolation liquid flow in a closed system, and finally the percolation liquid passing through the flow meter is divided and collected, thereby further realizing compliant production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of pharmaceutical equipment, in particular to a novel medicinal material percolation system with anti-blocking and online metering functions. Background Art

[0002] Percolation, a dynamic impregnation technique, achieves excellent concentration of active ingredients in medicinal herbs through low-speed, dynamic extraction and is widely used in pharmaceutical companies for herbal medicine extraction. Guided by established, well-established processes for extraction routes, two key operating parameters in the production process—the smoothness and tightness of the expanded herbal powder in cans, and the ability to consistently control the continuous percolation speed—directly influence the concentration difference of the extraction solvent and become key factors influencing percolation extraction efficiency.

[0003] Currently, commercially available industrial percolation tanks are not equipped with tools to evenly layer the expanded drug powder or flow meters to control the flow rate in real time. The entire percolation production operation is still at a relatively extensive quality control level, with at least the following problems:

[0004] 1) Because the percolation tank is slender (common dimensions are: 50-90cm in diameter, 100-300cm in height; the dimensions of the currently used parallel percolation tanks are: φ55cm×100cm), it is difficult to fill the tank with medicinal powder. The general operation is to directly pour all the swollen medicinal powder into the tank, then cover it with a stainless steel perforated plate and press it firmly, resulting in reduced dynamic impregnation efficiency. Fine powder will pass through the uncompacted gaps and flow out with the percolation liquid. This is the basic principle of drug percolation extraction: because if the medicinal powder is not evenly compacted layer by layer, the bulk density of the medicinal powder will be uneven. During the percolation process, the extraction solvent will be unable to penetrate the medicinal powder with too dense a density, while the solvent will directly pass through the gaps between the medicinal powder with too loose a density, resulting in insufficient contact between the solvent and the medicinal material, which will inevitably lead to low dynamic impregnation efficiency.

[0005] 2) When collecting percolation liquid, the percolation rate at the end of the collection pipe was controlled using a primitive sampling method. This involves collecting a fixed amount of liquid using a graduated cylinder every hour or two. The average percolation rate is then calculated. If the calculated result falls outside the process parameters, adjustments must be made afterward. This practice, however, fails to address the problem of fine medicinal material powder clogging the flowmeter during the percolation process, preventing the use of a liquid flowmeter to control the percolation rate in real time. This issue has been repeatedly raised and addressed by experts during GMP certification and compliance inspections. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a new medicinal material percolation system, a percolation device with anti-blocking and online metering functions, to solve the above problems.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0008] A new medicinal material percolation system includes two parallel percolation tanks, a "Ψ"-shaped anti-blocking percolation liquid precipitation unit and an adjustable liquid flow unit, wherein:

[0009] The "Ψ"-shaped anti-blocking percolation liquid precipitation unit includes two percolation liquid outflow pipes, a "cross" four-way quick-fit interface, a precipitation collection pipe and a micro-powder precipitation buffer and a hose connected to the "cross" four-way quick-fit interface, wherein one end of the two percolation liquid outflow pipes is respectively connected to a percolation tank, and the other end is respectively connected to the left and right ends of the "cross" four-way interface, the upper and lower ends of the "cross" four-way interface are respectively connected to the micro-powder precipitation buffer and the precipitation collection pipe by connecting pipes, and the lower end of the precipitation collection pipe is provided with a slag discharge valve;

[0010] The adjustable liquid flow unit includes a flow meter inlet pipe, an adjustable flow meter and a flow meter outlet pipe connected in sequence from bottom to top, and the lower end of the flow meter inlet pipe is connected to the upper end outlet of the micro powder precipitation buffer;

[0011] The lower end of the flow meter outlet pipe is connected to a three-way interface, and the other two interfaces of the three-way interface are respectively connected to a supernatant percolation liquid collection pipe.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution, the device also includes a long-handled, flat, circular powder pressing tool comprising a long handle section and a circular flat plate connected to the long handle section. By providing this long-handled, flat, circular powder pressing tool, after the swollen powder is poured into the percolation tank in batches, the tool is used to evenly flatten and compact the powder each time. Each layer is uniformly tight and loose, allowing the solvent to fully and dynamically impregnate the powder, achieving a good concentration gradient. Furthermore, the percolation liquid does not carry over excessive fine powder, which could cause clogging, thereby further improving the anti-clogging effect.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution: the long handle section is screwed to the circular flat plate; the long handle section is a telescopic rod.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution: the percolation liquid outflow pipe, the sedimentation collection pipe, the flow meter inlet pipe, the flow meter outlet pipe, the supernatant percolation liquid collection pipe and the connecting pipe are all soft tubes.

[0015] As a preferred technical solution: the "cross" four-way interface, the slag discharge valve and the three-way interface are all made of stainless steel.

[0016] As a preferred technical solution: the upper end of the "cross" four-way interface is connected to a connecting pipe, the upper end of the connecting pipe is connected to the lower end of the micropowder precipitation buffer; the upper end of the micropowder precipitation buffer is connected to another connecting pipe, the upper end of the connecting pipe is connected to the inlet of the adjustable flowmeter, and the lower end is connected to the upper outlet of the micropowder precipitation buffer.

[0017] As a further preferred technical solution, the flowmeter is installed at a height no less than 3 / 5 of the vertical length of the percolation outlet pipes on either side. This height setting maximizes the natural sedimentation distance for fine powder contained in the percolation. Experiments have shown that when the flowmeter is installed at a height greater than 3 / 5 of the vertical length of the percolation outlet pipes on either side, 100% precipitation of medicinal material fine powder is guaranteed at all process-required percolation speeds.

[0018] The inventors have found through extensive experimental research that the reasons for the above-mentioned problems in the prior art include at least the following: the existing percolation does not use effective tools to evenly level and compact the medicinal powder in layers.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are: to prevent excessive fine powder from flowing out with the percolation liquid through uncompacted gaps, to effectively precipitate and separate the fine medicinal material powder mixed in the percolation liquid, and to achieve unimpeded real-time percolation speed control using a flow meter, the present invention solves at least the following three problems by using a long-handled flat circular powder pressing tool, a "Ψ"-shaped anti-clogging percolation liquid precipitation unit, and a connection with an adjustable liquid flow meter:

[0020] 1) After the swollen powder is poured into the percolation tank in batches, use a long-handled flat round powder pressing tool to evenly flatten and compact the powder in layers, so that the extraction solvent can fully and dynamically impregnate the powder to obtain a good concentration difference. At the same time, the amount of fine powder flowing out with the percolation liquid during the percolation process is greatly reduced;

[0021] 2) Two percolation tanks are connected in parallel. The percolation liquid flows into the connection between the "Ψ"-shaped anti-blocking percolation liquid sedimentation unit and the tank body, that is, the percolation liquid inlet. During the low-speed flow through the "Ψ"-shaped liquid medicine pipe, the fine powder contained in the percolation liquid is naturally precipitated due to gravity during the long enough travel in the closed system. The precipitate is discharged through the slag discharge port below.

[0022] 3) After sedimentation, all the liquid flowing out from the outlet of the "Ψ"-shaped anti-blocking filter liquid sedimentation unit is the supernatant. When the percolation speed is fast and micropowder is entrained in the supernatant, a "micropowder sedimentation buffer" is installed to allow the micropowder to further precipitate in the buffer and then flow downward into the sedimentation collection hose below. The supernatant can then pass through the adjustable liquid flow meter unimpeded, realizing real-time control of the filter liquid flow in a closed system. Finally, the filter liquid passing through the flow meter is diverted and collected to further achieve compliant production. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of a long-handled, flat, circular powder pressing tool in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] In the figure: 1. "Ψ"-shaped anti-blocking leachate sedimentation unit; 2. Leachate outflow pipe; 3. "X"-shaped four-way quick-install interface; 4. Sedimentation collection pipe; 5. Slag discharge valve; 6. Micropowder sedimentation buffer; 7. Flowmeter inlet pipe; 8. Adjustable flowmeter; 9. Flowmeter outlet pipe; 10. Three-way interface; 11. Supernatant leachate collection pipe; 12. Leachate tank; 13. Connecting pipe; a. Long handle section; b. Round flat plate. Implementation Method

[0026] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example

[0027] See also Figure 1 A percolation device with anti-blocking and online metering functions includes two parallel percolation tanks 12, a "Ψ"-shaped anti-blocking percolation liquid precipitation unit 1 and an adjustable liquid flow unit, wherein:

[0028] The "Ψ"-shaped anti-blocking percolation liquid precipitation unit 1 includes two percolation liquid outflow pipes 2, a "cross" four-way quick-install interface 3, a precipitation collection pipe 4, a micro-powder precipitation buffer 6, and a connecting pipe 13, wherein one end of the two percolation liquid outflow pipes 2 is respectively connected to a percolation tank 12, and the other end is respectively connected to the left and right ends of the "cross" four-way interface 3, the upper and lower ends of the "cross" four-way interface 3 are respectively connected to the micro-powder precipitation buffer 6 and the precipitation collection pipe 4 by connecting pipes 13, and the lower end of the precipitation collection pipe 4 is provided with a slag discharge valve 5;

[0029] The adjustable liquid flow unit includes a flow meter inlet pipe 7, an adjustable flow meter 8 and a flow meter outlet pipe 9 connected in sequence from bottom to top, and the lower end of the flow meter inlet pipe 7 is connected to the upper end outlet of the powder precipitation buffer 6;

[0030] The powder precipitation buffer 6 of this embodiment is a spherical glass instrument with a through glass tube at the upper and lower ends, the diameter of which matches the connecting tube 13. The middle part of the powder precipitation buffer 6 is spherically bulged (diameter 5 to 8 cm). Figure 1 As shown;

[0031] The adjustable flowmeter 8 of this embodiment is commercially available and corrosion-resistant. For example, a glass rotor flowmeter, LZB-4WBF, manufactured by Changzhou Shuanghuan Thermal Instrument Co., Ltd., or a turbine flow sensor, FM110-006CKLE, manufactured by Katu Electronics (Kunshan) Co., Ltd., can be used.

[0032] The lower end of the flow meter outlet pipe 9 is connected to a three-way interface 10, and the other two interfaces of the three-way interface 10 are respectively connected to a supernatant percolation liquid collection pipe 11;

[0033] In this embodiment, a long-handled flat circular powder pressing tool is further included, the long-handled flat circular powder pressing tool comprising a long-handled section a and a circular flat plate b connected to the long-handled section a; the long-handled section a is screwed to the circular flat plate b; the long-handled section a is a stainless steel telescopic rod;

[0034] In this embodiment, the percolation liquid outflow pipe 2, the sedimentation collection pipe 4, the flow meter inlet pipe 7, the flow meter outlet pipe 9, the supernatant percolation liquid collection pipe 11, and the connecting pipe 13 are all hoses;

[0035] In this embodiment, the "cross" four-way interface 3, the slag discharge valve 5 and the three-way interface 10 are all made of stainless steel;

[0036] In this embodiment, the upper end of the "cross" four-way interface 3 is connected to a connecting pipe 13, the upper end of the connecting pipe 13 is connected to the powder precipitation buffer 6, and the upper end of the flow meter inlet pipe 7 is connected to the inlet of the adjustable flow meter 8; the installation height of the flow meter 8 is not less than 3 / 5 of the vertical length of the percolation liquid outflow pipe 2 on its left and right sides.

[0037] Using the structure of this embodiment:

[0038] 1) Using the long-handled, flat, circular powder pressing tool, preferably composed of a stainless steel telescopic rod and a circular stainless steel pressing plate; after the swollen powder is poured into the percolation tank in batches, the powder is evenly flattened and compacted each time, with each layer having a uniform and appropriate tightness, so that the solvent can fully and dynamically impregnate the powder, achieving a good concentration difference, while the percolation liquid will not carry out excessive fine powder and cause blockage;

[0039] 2) Using the "Ψ"-shaped anti-blocking percolation liquid settling device, two percolation tanks are connected in parallel, and the percolation liquid flows from the percolation liquid outflow pipe 2 inlet on both sides of the upper portion of the "Ψ"-shaped anti-blocking percolation liquid settling device, passes through the "Ψ"-shaped liquid medicine pipe, and during the low-speed flow process, fine powder entrained in the percolation liquid is naturally precipitated in the fine powder precipitation buffer 6 and the lower connecting pipe 13 due to the action of gravity over a sufficiently long distance in the closed system. The precipitate is discharged through the lower slag discharge port and is located in the hose connected to the flow meter inlet of the "Ψ"-shaped anti-blocking percolation liquid settling device. The outflowing liquid medicine is entirely the supernatant without the medicine residue;

[0040] 3) The outlet of the adjustable liquid flowmeter 8 is connected to the upper end of a soft flowmeter outlet tube 9, the lower end of which is connected to the upper vertical connection of a three-way interface 10. The two horizontal connections of the three-way interface 10 are respectively connected to two soft supernatant percolation liquid collection tubes 11 for diverting and collecting the medicinal liquid. The medicinal liquid supernatant enters the flowmeter through the flowmeter inlet hose and passes through the adjustable liquid flowmeter 8, thereby achieving real-time control of the percolation liquid flow rate in a closed system. Finally, the percolation liquid passing through the flowmeter outlet is diverted and collected by the two soft supernatant percolation liquid collection tubes 11.

[0041] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A novel medicinal material percolation system, a percolation device with anti-blocking and online metering functions, characterized by: The invention comprises two parallel percolation tanks (12), a "Ψ"-shaped anti-blocking percolation liquid precipitation unit (1) and an adjustable liquid flow unit, wherein the "Ψ"-shaped anti-blocking percolation liquid precipitation unit (1) comprises two percolation liquid outflow pipes (2), a "cross" four-way quick-install interface (3), a precipitation collection pipe (4), a micro-powder precipitation buffer (6), and a connecting pipe (13), wherein one end of the two percolation liquid outflow pipes (2) is respectively connected to a percolation tank (12), and the other end is respectively connected to the left and right ends of the "cross" four-way interface (3); the upper end of the "cross" four-way interface (3) is connected to the micro-powder precipitation buffer (6) by a section of connecting pipe (13), and the lower end is connected to the precipitation collection pipe (4); the lower end of the precipitation collection pipe (4) is provided with a slag discharge valve (5); The adjustable liquid flow unit comprises a flow meter inlet pipe (7), an adjustable flow meter (8) and a flow meter outlet pipe (9) connected in sequence from bottom to top, wherein the lower end of the flow meter inlet pipe (7) is connected to the upper end outlet of the micro powder precipitation buffer (6); The lower end of the flow meter outlet pipe (9) is connected to a three-way interface (10), and the other two interfaces of the three-way interface (10) are respectively connected to a supernatant percolation liquid collection pipe (11).

2. A novel medicinal material percolation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a long-handled flat circular powder pressing tool, which includes a long-handled flat circular powder pressing tool (a) and a circular flat plate (b) connected to the long-handled section (a).

3. The novel medicinal material percolation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The long handle section (a) is screwed to the circular flat plate (b); the long handle section (a) is a telescopic rod.

4. The novel medicinal material percolation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The percolation liquid outflow pipe (2), the sediment collection pipe (4), the flow meter inlet pipe (7), the flow meter outlet pipe (9) and the supernatant percolation liquid collection pipe (11) connecting pipe (13) are all flexible pipes.

5. The novel medicinal material percolation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The "cross" four-way interface (3), the slag discharge valve (5) and the three-way interface (10) are all made of stainless steel.

6. The novel medicinal material percolation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper end of the "cross" four-way interface (3) is connected to a connecting pipe (13), the upper end of the connecting pipe (13) is connected to the micro-powder precipitation buffer (6), the upper end of the flow meter inlet pipe (7) is connected to the inlet of the adjustable flow meter (8), and the lower end is connected to the upper outlet of the micro-powder precipitation buffer (6).

7. The novel medicinal material percolation system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The installation height of the flow meter (8) is not less than 3 / 5 of the vertical length of the percolation liquid outflow pipes (2) on its left and right sides.

Images