(711e) Going from Batch to Continuous in Pharma Processing: Traps and Pitfalls

There is a great deal of interest in conversion of processes from batch to continuous as a means of lowering costs and improving quality through reduced variability and of developing new continuous processes. Most of the papers show the benefits and suggest ways of doing what is often called flow chemistry. In this paper we will discuss several of the major problems to implementing such conversions. This is not new technology but requires the understanding of the system and the devices available.

Such topics as the difficulty with transitioning from semi-batch to continuous, the amount of losses due to startup, the non-ideality of many plug flow reactors, handling highly exothermic reactions and dealing with incomplete conversion and the need for pilot plants.