Propuesta de mejora de un horno eléctrico de bandejas en una industria farmacéutica

Abstract

CONDITION FOR PROJECT PUBLICATION. Drying accounts for up to 15% of energy consumption in the pharmaceutical industry, and its inefficiency can lead to variability in final moisture content, product degradation, and economic losses. Therefore, the aim is to improve the thermal performance of a tray dryer by redesigning the air distribution system and incorporating instrumentation for process control. It is proposed that controlled flow redistribution, together with direct humidity monitoring, will increase drying uniformity and improve energy efficiency. The development included an experimental diagnosis, the preparation of P&ID diagrams in accordance with the ISA S5.1 standard, isometric diagrams using AutoCAD Plant 3D, and CFD simulations in ANSYS Fluent of the current system and the improvement alternative, which includes a zoned perforated plate and a 30% recirculation system. Additionally, the installation of a microwave product moisture sensor and a relative air humidity sensor was proposed. The results showed a reduction in the thermal gradient from 11.1°C to 3.02°C, an estimated energy saving of 23.40%, and greater control of the drying process. The financial analysis confirms that the implementation of the improvements is feasible, improving the performance of the equipment without requiring complex structural modifications. Keywords: Process improvement, Pharmaceutical drying, Computational fluid dynamics (CFD)