Knowledge Article
What are pharmaceutical pumps? A guide to pumps in the pharmaceutical industry
Pharmaceutical production requires high precision and tight control over every process to ensure the quality and effectiveness of medicines. Pharmaceutical pumps play a central role in this work. They handle, transport and dose different liquids, chemicals and active ingredients throughout the manufacturing chain.
What is a drug pump in pharmaceutical production?
In the pharmaceutical industry, the term drug pump most often refers to specialized pumps that move liquids and other suspensions in the manufacturing process. These pumps play a crucial role in ensuring the highest possible precision, avoiding contamination, and achieving high repeatability in pharmaceutical manufacturing - all in accordance with GMP. They pump everything from active ingredients and solutions to additives and clean media that production requires, even in ATEX-rated environments.
Types of drug pumps in production
The pharmaceutical industry uses different types of pumps, and the choice of pump depends on the specific task, the application and what content the process will handle. Here are some common types:
Diaphragm pumps: Flexibility and wide range of applications
Diaphragm pumps are common in pharmaceutical production, mainly because they can handle both viscous and free-flowing liquids. They work by means of a flexible membrane that creates pressure in a chamber through compressed air or mechanical drive, thus pumping the liquid forward. In addition, they are an excellent choice when high dosing precision is required. Therefore, diaphragm pumps are often used to handle both chemicals and various types of harsh solutions, preferably
The pump type provides a pulsating flow, can be dry-run and has a wide application range, also in ATEX environment. Limitations of the pump type can be high flow rates and energy consumption in continuous 24/7 operations.
Centrifugal pumps: efficient transportation of low viscosity media
Centrifugal pumps are used in many areas of pharmaceutical production where high flows and pressures are important, such as CIP and WFI systems. They are particularly useful for transporting low viscosity fluids rapidly through production lines or systems, for example to pump clean water WFI, CIP solutions, solvents and other process input media.
Centrifugal pumps have a wide range of applications and can be configured to optimally suit simple as well as difficult and toxic liquids, even in ATEX environment.
Centrifugal pumps are available with a range of options for customization, for example. Sealless Magnetic drive, self-priming design and aseptic designs.
The pump type provides a smooth flow and works well to be frequency controlled in sizes from about 100 l/h up to 500 m3/h. Limitations for the pump type can be air in the systems, dry running risks and in some cases sound volumes
Lobe rotor pumps, Piston rotor pumps and twin screw pumps
Rotary Lobe pumps, Circumferential piston pump and twin screw pumps all displacement pumps are designed to transport mainly viscous products gently in different parts of the process. With these pump types also come the advantages of fully reversible operation and high repeatability. Piston rotor pumps and twin screw pumps can now also handle low viscosity liquids due to their innovative design and efficiency.
The design and development of these displacement pumps contribute to high hygiene standards, drainability and gentle product handling.
Wide application range from raw material handling and through processes to aseptic filling. Media can be various suspensions, buffer, fermentation, funnel solutions and proteins, also within ATEX classified environment.
The pump types provide a linear flow, are easy to frequency control and are very gentle in their product handling and hygienically designed. Liquid contaminated material in SS316L and gaskets in FDA/USP6 classified materials. Available for flows from 0 to 150 m3/h.
Limitations for the pump types can be operation against closed valve and solid hard particles such as metal in the liquid.
Peristaltic pumps: Ideal for dosing and smaller flows
Peristaltic pumps are a commonly used pump type in pharmaceutical production for smaller flows and high accuracy. They work by pushing the liquid through a flexible tube that is compressed during rotation. This is why they are suitable for sensitive liquids and dosages, among others. As the liquid never comes into direct contact with the mechanical parts of the pump, the risk of contamination is significantly reduced.
They are often used to pump pharmaceutical ingredients, certain chemicals or other biological fluids, where accuracy and hygiene are essential. The pump type provides a pulsating flow and can be dry-run. Limitations of the pump type may be some media resistance, tubing life and high flow rates.
Why are pharmaceutical pumps important in production?
Pharmaceutical pumps play a critical role in ensuring that drug production is safe, hygienic and efficient. Here are some reasons why they are so important:
1. exact dosage
One of the main advantages of pharmaceutical pumps is their ability to deliver precise dosing of active ingredients and chemicals. This is particularly important in pharmaceutical production, where each batch must contain the right amount of each component. Otherwise, even small deviations can affect both the effectiveness and safety of the product.
2. Continuous operation
Pharmaceutical pumps enable continuous operation of production lines by automatically filling liquids and controlling the flow without interrupting the process. In doing so, they increase efficiency and reduce the risk of human error.
3. Health and safety
In the pharmaceutical industry, hygiene is a critical factor. Pharmaceutical pumps such as Piston Rotary, Peristaltic and Twin Screw pumps are all designed to meet the high hygiene standards and repeatability requirements that are important in GMP manufacturing and reduce the risk of contamination. This makes the pumps ideal for handling sterile or sensitive materials.
4. Handling of different liquids
Pharmaceutical production requires handling a range of different liquids, from water-soluble chemicals to viscous substances. Pharmaceutical pumps handle different liquids efficiently and gently by adapting to specific needs, providing a flexible production process that easily follows different types of drugs.
Benefits of using drug pumps in production
- Accuracy and precision: Drug pumps ensure precise dosing, which is essential to maintain the right drug concentrations in each batch. For example, in the production of biologics, a reduction in dose of just a few milligrams can affect both the safety and effectiveness of treatment.
- High flow capacities on demand: Some pumps, such as centrifugal pumps and twin-screw pumps, can handle large volumes of liquid quickly and efficiently.
- Reduced risk of contamination: Hygienically tested and certified pumps with drainable design minimize the risk of contamination during the process.
- Efficiency and productivity: Automated pumps and systems enable continuous GMP production with assured repeatability and minimize sources of error
Colly Flowtech has extensive experience in supplying pharmaceutical pumps to the pharmaceutical industry. We offer customized solutions tailored to your specific needs. If you have any questions or would like to discuss a future project, you are welcome to contact me (mattias.steffl@colly.se, 073-271 76 90) and I will be happy to help you further.
Behöver du hjälp att välja pump för läkemedelsproduktion?
Vi hjälper dig att hitta en pump som passar både vätskan, produktionsmiljön och kraven på dokumentation. Berätta om din process, så tittar vi tillsammans på vilka alternativ som är relevanta.
Do you have any questions?
Frequently asked questions about drug pumps
What is a drug pump?
A pharmaceutical pump is a customized pump used to transport sensitive liquids in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries with high repeatability. With these pumps comes a complete documentation linked to the unique object, ensuring requirements and validation work.
What are drug pumps used for?
A pharmaceutical pump transports sensitive liquids with high repeatability in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and has a customized design for these requirements.
What are the requirements for pumps in the pharmaceutical industry?
They must meet high hygiene standards, be CIP/SIP (Clean/Steam-in-Place) compliant and manufactured with FDA/USP6 certified materials and full material traceability and usually with comprehensive documentation packages with material traceability and testing.
What is the difference between a regular pump and a drug pump?
Pharmaceutical pumps are usually designed for cleanroom environments, sterile handling and precise dosing - unlike industrial pumps. Furthermore, detailed documentation, material selection and traceability are important parameters as well as high repeatability and adapted for GMP manufacturing.
How often do drug pumps need to be maintained?
Regular cleaning, inspection and maintenance are an important part of operational safety - but with the right pump selection, maintenance intervals can be minimized. The pharmaceutical industry is actively engaged in preventive maintenance to ensure high hygiene and stable operation before any anomalies occur. Normal maintenance intervals vary between 12 and 36 months, depending on the operating time and application.
Explore our range of drug pumps
Direct-coupled aseptic centrifugal pump with an open impeller. The CSD series is equipped with a vapor barrier between the product and the atmosphere to ensure product integrity.
The system consists of two separate flushing/barrier systems: one using high-temperature water for the mechanical seal and one using steam at the pump’s product connections.
A hygienic self-priming liquid ring pump in a newly developed range for the food and pharmaceutical industries.
The AS Series is a hygienic, self-priming liquid transfer pump for the food and pharmaceutical industries. The pump is designed for hygienic applications where the incoming liquid may contain gas or air, where foaming liquids need to be handled, or where the suction tube is only partially filled.
The liquid ring principle allows the pump to maintain a vacuum under varying suction conditions. After the initial filling with liquid, some liquid remains in the pump, ensuring rapid self-priming even when the suction line is empty.
Standard-series sanitary liquid transfer pump with extremely high suction capacity down to −0.7 bar. Robust design with front-mounted DIN seals. Typically equipped with IEC motors, ATEX-certified motors, or hydraulic drives.
Suitable as a loading and unloading pump for sugar solutions, solvents, and oils. Also used as a powder mixing pump and for CIP returns.
The CN Series is a hygienic centrifugal pump in a monoblock design for the food, brewing, and pharmaceutical industries. The series comprises six models and is designed for hygienic applications where easy installation, effective cleaning, and reliable operation are key requirements.
