Ethanol discharge device for vacuum drying oven

Abstract

This application belongs to the technical field of pharmaceutical separation equipment, specifically relating to an ethanol discharge device for a vacuum drying oven. It includes a cold trap container, a housing connected to the cold trap container for holding pharmaceuticals, and a transfer tank connected to the bottom of the cold trap container. The transfer tank has a first valve and a second valve at its inlet and outlet, respectively. The cold trap container has an exhaust port for vacuuming. By setting up a transfer tank connected to the cold trap container and installing the first and second valves at its inlet and outlet, ethanol liquid flows into and is collected in the transfer tank during vacuum drying. During discharge, closing the first valve isolates the transfer tank, while opening the second valve allows for safe discharge of ethanol while maintaining the vacuum state of the housing. After the transfer tank is emptied, closing the second valve and reopening the first valve restores the continuous collection function of the cold trap liquid. Multiple discharges can be performed without stopping the machine, effectively improving drying efficiency.

Description

[Technical Field] This application belongs to the field of pharmaceutical separation equipment technology, specifically relating to an ethanol discharge device for a vacuum drying oven. [Background Technology] Ethanol is commonly used as a refining solvent in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Some drugs, due to stability limitations, require vacuum drying to avoid high-temperature drying. According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the residual ethanol content in drugs must not exceed 0.5%. Ethanol has a boiling point of 78.2°C to 78.5°C under standard atmospheric pressure; its boiling point decreases under vacuum conditions, enabling low-temperature drying. However, ethanol's freezing point is approximately -114°C, far below the operating temperature of the cold trap in a conventional vacuum drying oven. Further reducing the cold trap temperature would significantly increase equipment investment and energy consumption, making it uneconomical. In existing technologies, because ethanol cannot solidify in the cold trap, ethanol evaporating from the drug enters the cold trap, forms a liquid, and flows back to the bottom of the drying oven, where it evaporates again into a gaseous state. This gaseous ethanol then liquefies into droplets upon contact with the condenser at the top of the oven, creating a continuous cycle. Since the cold trap and drying oven are connected by only a single pipe, insufficient vacuum pressure gradient prevents effective evaporation of ethanol from the drying oven to the cold trap, leading to drying stagnation. At this point, the machine must be stopped, the vacuum released, the drain valve opened to discharge the liquid ethanol, and then the vacuum must be re-exposed and the machine cooled down before operation. This process needs to be repeated 2-3 times per batch, with each session taking about 1 hour, which severely reduces production efficiency. [Utility Model Content] To address the problem of low efficiency caused by repeated interruptions of the drying process during liquid discharge in existing drying chambers, this application provides an ethanol discharge device for a vacuum drying chamber.

[0001] This application is achieved through the following technical solution: An ethanol discharge device for a vacuum drying oven includes a cold trap container, a box body connected to the cold trap container and used for placing medicines, and a transfer tank connected to the bottom of the cold trap container. The transfer tank is provided with a first valve and a second valve at its inlet and outlet, respectively. The cold trap container is provided with an exhaust port for vacuuming.

[0002] The ethanol discharge device of the vacuum drying oven described above has a condenser coil inside the cold trap container.

[0003] As described above, in an ethanol discharge device for a vacuum drying oven, the cold trap container is connected to the oven body via a first pipe, and the exhaust port is located on the opposite side of the first pipe.

[0004] As described above, in an ethanol discharge device for a vacuum drying oven, the cold trap container is connected to the inlet of the transfer tank via a second pipe, the outlet of the transfer tank is provided with a third pipe, the first valve is located on the second pipe, and the second valve is located on the third pipe.

[0005] An ethanol discharge device for a vacuum drying oven as described above, wherein at least one partition is provided inside the oven.

[0006] As described above, an ethanol discharge device for a vacuum drying oven has a door hinged to the opening of the oven body, and the door closes to the oven body to form a sealed space.

[0007] As described above, the ethanol discharge device of a vacuum drying oven has an insulating medium wrapped around the outside of the transfer tank.

[0008] As described above, in an ethanol discharge device for a vacuum drying oven, the inner wall of the bottom of the cold trap container is provided with a first arc surface, and the second pipe is connected to the bottom end of the first arc surface.

[0009] As described above, in an ethanol discharge device for a vacuum drying oven, the bottom inner wall of the transfer tank is provided with a second arc surface, and the third pipe is connected to the bottom end of the second arc surface.

[0010] Compared with the prior art, this application has the following advantages: This application discloses an ethanol discharge device for a vacuum drying oven. It includes a transfer tank connected to a cold trap container, with a first valve and a second valve installed at the inlet and outlet of the transfer tank, respectively. During vacuum drying, ethanol flows into the transfer tank and is collected. When draining, closing the first valve isolates the transfer tank, while opening the second valve allows for safe discharge of ethanol while maintaining the vacuum state of the oven. After the transfer tank is emptied, closing the second valve and reopening the first valve restores the continuous collection function of the cold trap liquid. Multiple discharges can be performed without stopping the machine, effectively improving drying efficiency. This transforms the 2-3 downtime operations required for each batch of drying into a continuous production process, significantly improving production efficiency and reducing energy consumption. Furthermore, the collected liquid volume can be used to estimate the drying status of the pharmaceutical product, providing a reference for production. [Attached Image Description] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0011] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional perspective view of an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Top view; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the cross section at point AA.

Detailed Implementation Methods

[0012] Please see Figures 1 to 3 An ethanol discharge device for a vacuum drying oven includes a cold trap container 1, a box 2 connected to the cold trap container 1 and used for placing medicines, and a transfer tank 3 connected to the bottom of the cold trap container 1. The transfer tank 3 is provided with a first valve 4 and a second valve 5 at its inlet 31 and outlet 32, respectively. The cold trap container 1 is provided with an exhaust port 6 for vacuuming.

[0013] This application discloses an ethanol discharge device for a vacuum drying oven. It includes a transfer tank connected to a cold trap container, with a first valve and a second valve installed at the inlet and outlet of the transfer tank, respectively. During vacuum drying, ethanol flows into the transfer tank and is collected. When draining, closing the first valve isolates the transfer tank, while opening the second valve allows for safe discharge of ethanol while maintaining the vacuum state of the oven. After the transfer tank is emptied, closing the second valve and reopening the first valve restores the continuous collection function of the cold trap liquid. Multiple discharges can be performed without stopping the machine, effectively improving drying efficiency. This transforms the 2-3 downtime operations required for each batch of drying into a continuous production process, significantly improving production efficiency and reducing energy consumption. Furthermore, the collected liquid volume can be used to estimate the drying status of the pharmaceutical product, providing a reference for production. This solution is applicable to all liquids that cannot solidify at the set cold trap temperature of -40℃.

[0014] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment of this solution and not a limitation thereof, the cold trap container 1 is provided with a condenser coil 11.

[0015] In this embodiment, the low-temperature refrigerant or cooling medium in the cold trap container 1 is circulated through the condenser coil 11, thereby reducing the temperature inside the cold trap container 1. This causes the ethanol vapor volatilized from the housing 2 to quickly condense into liquid on the surface of the condenser coil 11 and flow into the transfer tank 3. This method can efficiently condense the ethanol vapor into liquid, prevent the ethanol vapor from entering the vacuum pump system, thereby extending the service life of the vacuum pump and improving the stability of the vacuum system.

[0016] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment of this solution and not a limitation thereof, the cold trap container 1 and the box body 2 are connected by a first pipe 7, and the exhaust port 6 is located on the opposite side of the first pipe 7.

[0017] In this embodiment, by connecting the cold trap container 1 and the box 2 through the first pipe 7 and setting the exhaust port 6 on the opposite side of the first pipe 7, a stable vacuum pressure gradient can be established. When the vacuum pump draws a vacuum through the exhaust port 6, a negative pressure environment is formed in the cold trap container 1. The ethanol vapor that evaporates during the drying process of the medicine in the box 2 is drawn into the cold trap container 1 through the first pipe 7 under the action of pressure difference. Due to the relative arrangement of the exhaust port 6 and the first pipe 7, the airflow short-circuit phenomenon is avoided, ensuring that the ethanol vapor has sufficient residence time in the cold trap container 1 and fully contacts the condensing coil 11 for condensation. This layout not only improves the ethanol vapor capture efficiency, but also reduces the disorderly diffusion of vapor in the system.

[0018] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment of this solution and not a limitation, the cold trap container 1 is connected to the liquid inlet 31 of the transfer tank 3 via a second pipe 8, the liquid outlet 32 ​​of the transfer tank 3 is provided with a third pipe 9, the first valve 4 is provided on the second pipe 8, and the second valve 5 is provided on the third pipe 9.

[0019] In this embodiment, by connecting the inlet 31 of the cold trap container 1 and the transfer tank 3 through the second pipe 8, and setting the first valve 4 on the second pipe 8, and setting the second valve 5 on the third pipe 9 connected to the outlet 32, the continuous liquid discharge function is realized while maintaining the system vacuum environment. Under normal drying conditions, the first valve 4 is open and the second valve 5 is closed. When the liquid ethanol condensed in the cold trap container 1 flows into the transfer tank 3 and accumulates to a certain amount, the first valve 4 is closed and the second valve 5 is opened, so that the liquid flows out through the third pipe 9. Then the second valve 5 is closed and the first valve 4 is opened. Ethanol liquid can be dispensed multiple times without stopping the machine.

[0020] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment of this solution and not a limitation thereof, the housing 2 is provided with at least one partition 21.

[0021] In this embodiment, the partition 21 divides the interior of the box 2 into multiple independent or semi-independent drying areas, so that the medicine can obtain a more uniform heat distribution and airflow circulation during the vacuum drying process, avoiding the problem of uneven drying caused by the accumulation of medicine. At the same time, the layered structure formed by the partition 21 increases the effective loading area of ​​the medicine, which significantly improves the single drying capacity.

[0022] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment of this solution and not a limitation, a door 22 is hinged to the opening of the box 2, and the door 22 covers the box 2 to form a sealed space.

[0023] In this embodiment, when the door 22 is closed, an airtight seal is formed by the precise fit between the door frame and the box 2, ensuring that the box 2 can maintain a stable negative pressure environment during the vacuum drying process, preventing outside air from seeping in and affecting the drying effect. At the same time, the hinged design allows the operator to easily open and close the door 22 to load and unload medicines.

[0024] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment of this solution and not a limitation, the transfer tank 3 is wrapped with an insulating medium on its outer side.

[0025] In this embodiment, the heat exchange between the transfer tank 3 and the external environment is reduced by the heat insulation performance of the insulation medium, thereby maintaining a relatively stable temperature inside the transfer tank 3. The insulation material can be polyurethane foam, fiberglass felt, rock wool, etc.

[0026] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment of this solution and not a limitation, the bottom inner wall of the cold trap container 1 is provided with a first arc surface 12, and the second pipe 8 is connected to the bottom end of the first arc surface 12.

[0027] In this embodiment, after the ethanol vapor is cooled and liquefied by the condenser coil 11 in the cold trap container 1, the droplets flow down the container wall to the first arc surface 12. The arc design allows the liquid to naturally converge at the interface of the second pipe 8 at the lowest point through surface tension and gravity guidance, forming a continuous liquid flow channel. This avoids the liquid residue problem common in traditional flat-bottom structures and ensures that the condensed ethanol can be quickly and completely discharged to the transfer tank 3.

[0028] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment of this solution and not a limitation, the bottom inner wall of the transfer tank 3 is provided with a second arc surface 34, and the third pipe 9 is connected to the bottom end of the second arc surface 34.

[0029] In this embodiment, when liquid ethanol flows from the cold trap container 1 into the transfer tank 3 through the second pipe 8, the curved structure of the second arc surface 34 guides the liquid to naturally gather towards the lowest point through the principle of fluid mechanics, forming a directional flow path. This ensures that when the second valve 5 is opened, the liquid can be completely discharged by gravity, avoiding the liquid residue and dead corner problems common in traditional flat-bottomed containers, and reducing the error in estimating the drying status of the medicine by the volume of discharged liquid.

[0030] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows: This application discloses an ethanol discharge device for a vacuum drying oven. It includes a transfer tank connected to a cold trap container, with a first valve and a second valve installed at the inlet and outlet of the transfer tank, respectively. During vacuum drying, ethanol flows into the transfer tank and is collected. When draining, closing the first valve isolates the transfer tank, while opening the second valve allows for safe discharge of ethanol while maintaining the vacuum state of the oven. After the transfer tank is emptied, closing the second valve and reopening the first valve restores the continuous collection function of the cold trap liquid. Multiple discharges can be performed without stopping the machine, effectively improving drying efficiency. This transforms the 2-3 downtime operations required for each batch of drying into a continuous production process, significantly improving production efficiency and reducing energy consumption. Furthermore, the collected liquid volume can be used to estimate the drying status of the pharmaceutical product, providing a reference for production.

[0031] The above are implementation methods provided in conjunction with specific content, and it is not intended that the specific implementation of this application is limited to these descriptions. Any methods or structures that are similar to those of this application, or any technical deductions or substitutions made based on the concept of this application, should be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An ethanol discharge device for a vacuum drying oven, characterized in that, It includes a cold trap container (1), a box (2) connected to the cold trap container (1) and used to place medicines, and a transfer tank (3) connected to the bottom of the cold trap container (1). The transfer tank (3) is provided with a first valve (4) and a second valve (5) at the liquid inlet (31) and the liquid outlet (32) respectively. The cold trap container (1) is provided with an exhaust port (6) for vacuuming.

2. The ethanol exhaust apparatus of claim 1, wherein The cold trap container (1) is equipped with a condenser coil (11).

3. The ethanol discharge device for a vacuum drying oven according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cold trap container (1) is connected to the box body (2) through a first pipe (7), and the exhaust port (6) is located on the opposite side of the first pipe (7).

4. The ethanol discharge device for a vacuum drying oven according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cold trap container (1) is connected to the inlet (31) of the transfer tank (3) via a second pipe (8). The outlet (32) of the transfer tank (3) is provided with a third pipe (9). The first valve (4) is located on the second pipe (8), and the second valve (5) is located on the third pipe (9).

5. The ethanol discharge device for a vacuum drying oven according to claim 1, characterized in that, The box (2) is provided with at least one partition (21).

6. The ethanol discharge device for a vacuum drying oven according to claim 1, characterized in that, The box body (2) has a hinged door (22) at the opening, and the door (22) covers the box body (2) to form a sealed space.

7. The ethanol discharge device for a vacuum drying oven according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transfer tank (3) is wrapped with insulation medium on the outside.

8. The ethanol discharge device for a vacuum drying oven according to claim 4, characterized in that, The cold trap container (1) has a first arc surface (12) on its bottom inner wall, and the second pipe (8) is connected to the bottom end of the first arc surface (12).

9. The ethanol discharge device for a vacuum drying oven according to claim 4, characterized in that, The transfer tank (3) has a second arc surface (34) on its bottom inner wall, and the third pipe (9) is connected to the bottom end of the second arc surface (34).

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