Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceutical production generates air emissions and wastewater containing a range of compounds that must be removed to protect health and the environment. 

Air emissions may contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and solvents such as methanol or ethanol. 

Wastewater from cleaning processes is likely to contain chlorinated compounds used for cleaning, disinfecting and degreasing, measured together as adsorbable organic halides (AOX). 

Process water could contain residues of activated pharmaceutical ingredients (API), which might be classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Fats such as glycerine and surfactants are also found. 

All these can be successfully treated using DESOTEC activated carbon filtration solutions. 

Activated carbon filters are an efficient, sustainable and modular way to remove VOCs and solvents from sources including vented storage tanks, reactor vessels, coating lines, and cleaning processes. They can handle the discontinuous production, low flow rates and high concentrations of compounds that are common in pharmaceutical production. With a small footprint and rapid installation and exchange, DESOTEC filters are ideal for busy sites. DESOTEC handles all carbon off-site, keeping your pharmaceutical facility pristine. 

Activated carbon is a key treatment for wastewater from cleaning processes in the pharmaceutical sector. This water is likely to contain high concentrations of pollutants measured together as chemical oxygen demand (COD), but may include chlorinated compounds from cleaning products as well as POPs from API residues that are subject to specific emission limits. Due to the mixture of compounds, multiple treatments may be required, such as reverse osmosis, scrubbers or membranes. 

DESOTEC filters can act as a pre-treatment or polishing step to protect complementary technology and reduce harmful chemicals to below detectable levels. Treated water may then be sent for further purification at a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) or reused in industrial processes, cutting specialist disposal costs and boosting sustainability.

Activated carbon is an effective technology to reduce APIs, hormones and POPs to very low legal limits, protecting human health and the environment. Additionally, you may need to reduce compounds such as chlorine to maintain the manufacturer’s warranty on downstream technology such as membranes. 

DESOTEC filters, often used in combination with other technology, can bring these compounds down to below detectable levels, helping your company comply with the law and meet manufacturers’ specifications or end-client quality standards at all times. Our experts have regional know-how to design treatment set-ups that will help you meet your legal obligations. Our solutions are modular, so set-ups are easy to adapt if your parameters change or regulations become more stringent. 

Activated carbon filtration is a Best Available Technology (BAT) for many pollution treatment applications, and is often the most cost-effective and sustainable option – but it does depend on various factors.

For example:

• Where air flow is discontinuous, e.g. due to batch production, activated carbon is generally more cost-effective than alternatives such as thermal oxidisers (RTOs).
• Where it is important for your site to remain pristine, DESOTEC filters may be cleaner than alternatives as we empty them and treat waste carbon away from customers’ sites.
• If space is tight, DESOTEC filters have a smaller footprint than most alternatives.
• For short-term usage, our filters are mobile and rental – unlike more permanent installations such as RTOs.
• If treatment is needed immediately, our filters can be delivered fast and are plug-and-play – some alternatives have a lengthy lead-in time.
• If your needs might change in the future, our systems are modular – other technology might be less adaptable.
• If flow rates, concentrations and compounds are changeable, activated carbon is generally more versatile than alternatives. 

DESOTEC is keen to help customers find the best treatment for their needs, and our experts will tell you if they think another technology might be more suitable than activated carbon.

Activated carbon is a very versatile technology, so there are many ways to optimise set-ups – e.g. placing filters in series, using different carbon grades, or combining filters with complementary technology such as scrubbers. It is plug-and-play, helping businesses produce high-value and high quality pharmaceutical goods at maximum efficiency.

DESOTEC solutions offer a low total cost of ownership (TCO): our service covers testing, advice, maintenance and ongoing support, and Capex costs are minimal. Sustainable carbon waste handling is also included, and we can usually reactivate the carbon for reuse, cutting your costs and helping you reach your green goals.