Typical applications of Coriolis mass flow meters in the pharmaceutical industry

In modern pharmaceutical manufacturing, the accuracy of measurement and the stability of process control directly determine drug quality and production efficiency. Whether it's raw material feeding, reaction control, solvent proportioning, or filling and packaging, high-precision fluid measurement technology is indispensable. Among numerous flow measurement instruments, the Coriolis mass flow meter, with its advantages of "direct measurement of mass flow rate," "high accuracy," and "strong anti-interference capability," has gradually become an indispensable process control device in the pharmaceutical industry.

This article will systematically analyze the typical application scenarios, technical advantages, and selection points of Coriolis mass flow meters in the pharmaceutical industry, helping companies achieve a higher level of precision control and quality assurance in drug production.

1. High Standards for Flow Measurement in the Pharmaceutical Industry

The pharmaceutical industry differs from general industrial production; its processes have extremely high requirements for accuracy, stability, and traceability.

High precision requirements: Deviations in drug solution ratios directly affect drug concentration and efficacy; Complex and diverse media: Including aqueous solutions, solvents, as well as volatile media such as high-viscosity slurries, biological extracts, and alcohol; Strict production processes: GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) requires all metering equipment to be traceable and verifiable; Strict hygiene standards: Instruments must meet CIP/SIP (Clean-in-Place/Steam-In-Place) requirements to ensure no cross-contamination.

Therefore, selecting a flow measurement instrument capable of operating under high precision, cleanliness, and safety conditions is a core requirement for pharmaceutical plants. The Coriolis mass flow meter precisely meets these requirements.

2. Working Principle and Technical Advantages of the Coriolis Mass Flow Meter

The Coriolis mass flow meter directly measures mass flow rate by detecting the Coriolis force generated in the vibrating measuring tube. When the fluid passes through the excitedly vibrating measuring tube, a phase difference is generated due to inertia. The instrument can accurately calculate the mass flow rate and density of the fluid by analyzing the phase difference signal.

2.1 Direct Measurement of Mass Flow Rate

Unlike volumetric instruments such as electromagnetic flow meters and vortex flow meters, Coriolis mass flow meters are unaffected by changes in fluid density, pressure, and temperature, directly providing mass flow rate without additional compensation or calculations. This makes them particularly suitable for precise proportioning and feed control in the pharmaceutical industry.

2.2 Simultaneous Measurement of Density and Temperature

The instrument incorporates a density sensor, enabling real-time monitoring of drug concentration changes. Online density detection is achieved during fermentation, extraction, or solvent mixing, providing crucial data support for quality analysis.

2.3 High Accuracy and Repeatability

Typical accuracy reaches ±0.1%, with repeatability better than ±0.05%. This high accuracy ensures consistent drug proportions and batch stability, making it ideal for GMP and FDA compliance.

2.4 Compact Structure and No Moving Parts

The absence of rotating or easily worn internal structures reduces maintenance needs. Simultaneously, the hygienic design (polished inner wall, no dead corners) meets the cleanliness requirements of the pharmaceutical industry.

3. Typical Application Scenarios in the Pharmaceutical Industry

3.1 API Feeding and Proportioning Control

In pharmaceutical production, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients often need to be mixed strictly according to mass ratios. Using a Coriolis mass flow meter allows for direct measurement of mass flow rate, avoiding volume errors caused by density or temperature changes.

Typical Application Case: In antibiotic solution production, when APIs are dissolved in ethanol or water, the amount of ethanol added needs precise control. By feeding a signal from the Coriolis mass flow meter to the PLC system, automated proportioning control is achieved, keeping the error within ±0.1%.

3.2 Fermentation Tank Feeding and Nutrient Solution Control

Bio-fermentation processes require the quantitative injection of nutrient solutions such as carbon sources, nitrogen sources, and buffers. Traditional flow meters are significantly affected by fluid viscosity and foam, while Coriolis mass flow meters are unaffected by flow patterns, bubbles, or temperature changes, and can operate stably in complex fermentation media.

Application Advantages:

Enables continuous mass flow rate monitoring;

Simultaneously measures density for fermentation broth concentration analysis;

Supports CIP/SIP cleaning without affecting sensor performance.

3.3 Solvent Delivery and Recovery System

Pharmaceutical plants widely use solvents such as ethanol, acetone, and methanol. These fluids are highly volatile and exhibit significant density variations. Coriolis mass flow meters can accurately measure the flow rate and density of various organic solvents and enable online monitoring of the solvent recovery process.

Application Example: In tablet coating processes, the amount of ethanol sprayed needs to be strictly controlled. Using a Coriolis mass flow meter and an automatic valve control system, closed-loop control of the spraying amount can be achieved, ensuring uniform coating while avoiding solvent waste.

3.4 Aseptic Filling and Liquid Dispensing

In the packaging processes of liquid preparations such as injections, oral solutions, and vaccines, the filling volume of each vial needs to be extremely precise. Traditional volumetric metering is significantly affected by temperature and pressure variations, while Coriolis mass flow meters, through direct mass measurement, can ensure a consistency of better than 0.2% for each vial.

Advantages and Highlights:

Enables high-speed, high-precision filling control;

Requires no additional density compensation;

Supports sanitary stainless steel (316L), meeting GMP standards;

Easy to disassemble and clean, suitable for aseptic environments.

3.5 Cleaning and Sterilization (CIP/SIP) System

CIP (In-Situ Cleaning) and *SIP (In-Situ Sterilization)are crucial aspects of pharmaceutical equipment maintenance. Using a Coriolis mass flow meter, the flow rate and density changes of cleaning fluid and steam can be accurately monitored, ensuring thorough cleaning and sterilization.

Typical Functions:

Precisely monitors the amount of cleaning fluid added;

Determines changes in cleaning agent concentration using density signals;

Improves the traceability of cleaning process validation.

4. Selecting a Coriolis Mass Flow Meter for Pharmaceutical Use

Selecting a suitable Coriolis mass flow meter in the pharmaceutical industry requires comprehensive consideration of media characteristics, hygiene standards, and process requirements.

4.1 Materials and Hygiene Design

316L stainless steel or Hastelloy alloy is recommended.

Flow components should be mirror-polished (Ra≤0.4μm) to prevent bacterial adhesion.

Support CIP/SIP cleaning design for thorough cleaning.

4.2 Accuracy and Metering Range

Select different accuracy classes (±0.1%, ±0.05%) according to process requirements and appropriately match the flow range to avoid overload or low-range operation.

4.3 Electrical and Communication Interfaces

Modern pharmaceutical plants mostly use digital control systems. Intelligent flow meters supporting HART, Profibus, Modbus, or Ethernet/IP protocols should be selected for integration into the DCS system.

4.4 Certification and Validation Requirements

Pharmaceutical equipment must comply with FDA, GMP, USP Class VI, and other standards. Instruments should have traceable calibration certificates and IQ/OQ validation documents.

5. Conclusion

In summary, the typical applications of Coriolis mass flow meters in the pharmaceutical industry extend beyond flow measurement; they are also crucial supporting tools for intelligent manufacturing and quality management. With their high precision, hygienic design, and stable and reliable performance, they help pharmaceutical companies achieve accurate metering and process optimization, safeguarding drug quality and safety from raw material control to finished product filling.

Accura, as a professional manufacturer and supplier of Coriolis mass flow meters, provides high-precision flow measurement solutions for the pharmaceutical, chemical, food, and energy industries. The company's products are GMP and FDA certified, support CIP/SIP hygienic design, and feature intelligent data interfaces for easy integration into various pharmaceutical automation control systems. With superior performance and reliable service, Accura helps global pharmaceutical customers achieve accurate metering, stable production, and long-term reliable operation.

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