CONTENTS Page

1. Introduction……………………………………………………………….…..…1

2. Products…………………………….………………………………………..…..2

3. Health and safety (HSE) ……...……….…………………………………….…..4

4. Personnel & administration…………………………………...………………....8

5. Quality control……………………………………………….…………….….…9

6. Solvent recovery …………………………………………………………….....10

i. Solvent recovery flow diagram…………………………………………12

ii. Capacities of tanks/vessels……………………………………...………13
iii. Recovery of methylene chloride………………………………………..14

7. Heat exchanger design……………………………………………………….....15

8. Heat exchanger design example……………………………………………..…17

9. Boiler………………………………………………………………………..….23

10. Frequently asked question about solvent recovery………………….…….......24

11. Nomenclature…………………………………………………………………32
 COMPANY INTRODUCTION

Pharmagen Limited is a Pakistani incorporated, Public Limited (non quoted) Company, which
was established in 1990 for undertaking pharmaceutical business and over the years it has
become the leading producer of APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) in
Pakistan. Pharmagen group is a dynamic organization that has been providing quality services
and products for healthcare and pharma sector.

Excellent state-of-the-art production facilities at its manufacturing site near Lahore namely:

 Semi Synthetic Penicillins (SSPs) facility for the production of Ampicillin Trihydrate,

Ampicillin Anhydrous, Amoxycillin Trihydrate Cloxacillin Sodium and FluCloxacillin
Sodium.
 Oral Semi Synthetic Cephalosporins (SSCs) facility for the production of Cephalexin,
Cefixime, Cephradine, Cefadroxil and Cefaclor.
 Sterile SSCs facility for the production of Cefotaxime Sodium, Ceftriaxone Sodium and
Cephradine L.Arginine.

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PRODUCTS
1. Semi Synthetic Penicillins (SSPs) Facility 
Pharmagen's first project was the basic manufacture of Semi - Synthetic Penicillins
(SSPs). The salient features of this project are as follows: 
Products: 
1. AMOXYCILLIN TRIHYDRATE 
2. AMPICILLIN TRIHYDRATE 
3. CLOXACILLIN SODIUM 
4. AMPICILLIN ANHYDROUS 
5. FLUCLOXACILLIN SODIUM 
Capacity: Approx. 425 tons of SSPs per annum. 
Technology : Conforming to international standards. 
Meeting Local demand: The project is meeting the entire demand of (API) SSP's both
from multinationals and local companies. The plant is regularly audited by regulatory
authorities for CGMP compliance and by multinational companies like GlaxoSmithKline
and Bristol-Myers Squibb which testifies to the premium quality of materials produces
therein.
2. Oral Semi Synthetic Cephalosporins (SSCs) Facility 
The company's second project was the manufacture of oral (API's) cephalosporins in
dedicated facility whose particulars are as below: 
Products: 
1. CEPHRADINE 
2. CEPHALEXIN 
3. CEFADROXIL 
4. CEFACLOR 
5. CEFIXIME 
Product(s) in pipeline: 
1. CEFUROXIME AXETIL 
Capacity: Approx. 120 tons of SSPs per annum. 
Technology : Conforming to international standards.

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 3. Sterile SSCs Facility 
Products: 
1. CEPHALEXIN SODIUM 
2. CEPHRADINE STERILE 
3. CEFOTAXIME SODIUM 
4. CEFTRIAXONE SODIUM 
Product(s) in pipeline: 
1. CEFAZOLIN SODIUM 
2. CEFOPERAZONE SODIUM 
3. CEFTAZIDIME 
4. CEFUROXIME SODIUM 

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HSE( health, safety and environment department):

HSE Management staff:

Dr. Sarfraz Ahmed HSE Manger

Zagham Iqbal Assistant Manger

Muddasar Iqbal HSE Officer

M. Nafees Akram HSE worker

Tasks performed by HSE are mostly regarding health and safety .

1- Control of insects ,pests & Rodents

2- Inspection of of Fire Fighting Equipments
3- House keeping
4- Safety and Risk Asssesment
5- Work place inspection

Other Objectives
 Occupational health and safety law
 Pharmagen OH&S objectives
 Noise Control residual current device(RCD)
 Personel protective equipment (PPE)
 Failure to abide by the signage
 Blue sinage in the work place
 Emergency procedures
 Avoid aggravating the fire by using unsuitable extinguishers
 Do not waste time salvage any of your possessions.

Fire extinguishers:
 Dry chemical (wood, paper, plastic,flammable)
 Water , AFFF (wood , Paper , Plastic)
 Carbon dioxide , Haltron.

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 A
M
r
a
N
s
t
e
id
c
In
Incident Reporting:

Incident reporting is very important.

Incident report is very important regarding safety point of view because it will provide picture of
the whole scenario. there are two types of incident:

1- Near Miss
2- Accidents

Near miss are those incidents in which actually no damage occur but there was possibility to
cause serious damage.

Accidents are those incidents in which loss of life or property takes place.

Working out door

UV radiation

UV radiation is most intense during the middle of the day between 10am until 3pm from
September to April. Only 10 to 15 minutes for skin damage to occur.

Basal cell carcinoma

Appears as a red lump or scaly area

Squamous cell carcinoma

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Melanoma

Nodular melanoma

Thermal discomfort.

High risk construction work

1. Demolition
2. Trenches or shafts
3. Tilt-up or precast concrete.
4. Safety Ladder.

The program will cover

 Work place expectation
 Occupational health & safety law.
 Pharmagen OH& Objectives
 Employer responsibilities
 Worker responsibilities.
 Incident reporting
 Risk management .
 House keeping
 Slips trips and falls
 Hazardous substances.
 Electrical safety
 Tag out procedures
 Plant
 Personal protective equipment.
 Noise control.
 Manual handling
 How to lift and carry.

Fire hydrant system:

Fire Hydrant system includes main components

 Hydrant line
 Hydrant pillar
 Monitor
 Fire hose
 Pumps of 40hp and 60hp

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Diameter of hose reel pipe is 2 inch

Diameter of hydrant pipe is 4 inch

Diameter of hydrant underground pipe is 6 inch.

Pressure is 5 to 6 bar.

50 ft 50 ft

Pillar 100 ft hydrant line

Hose pipe length

Fire extinguisher works on the bases of these principles.

1. Smothering.
2. Cooling.
3. Starvation.

Types of nozzles:

1. Jet nozzle.
2. Multipurpose nozzle.

Other equipment to control fire are:

 Mechanical foam
 Sand pite.

Mechanical foam .
Protean+ water.

Centrifugal pump is used because in this system pump keeps running continuously.

If PD pump is used then it keeps applying pressure which should effect the piston.

ETP (effluent treatment plant).

There are total number of pit is 6.

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Personel & administration.
Approval freight bill.

 Contractual activities.
 Revision history.
 Bill for vehicle fare.
 Bill for daily wages labour.
 Labour hiring approval form.
 Employees facilities.
 Furniture fixture.
 Handling of communication services.
 Handling of company uniform & shoes at factory.
 Recreational activities & external visits.
 Polices for employers.
 Roaster.
 Visitors entry.

Other tasks of admin are:

 Sale of empty drum and other scrap items to contractors.

 Monthly consumables & annual budget.
 Sale of scrape item to factory staff.
 Good sanitation & hygiene practices.
 Prevention of child labor.
 Prevention of forced labor.
 Prevention of discrimination.
 Working hours & over time.
 Employee old age benefit.
 Social security contribution.
 Procedure for compensation & leaves.
 Horticulture.
 Factory mess.

8|Page internship report Pharmagen

Quality control
Main task of quality control is raw material sampling and then testing its quality.
Sample collecting procedure is done according to this formula

√ n+1
“n” is the no. of containers .
For example no. of drums are 64 then

= √ 64+1

=8+1=9
So samples are collected from 9 containers.
In material testing following steps are involved and then documentation is done. Finished
product testing is done in which sample of finished product are tested and if they are clear then
passed.
Task performed by quality control:

 Raw material testing

 In process testing
 Package testing
 Finished product
 Quality assurance:
Test methods

 Swab test
 HPLC test
Purchase department report, Manufacturer report, Standard testing report and Sample testing
report
Specific no. is given to the specific batch
Appearance of the material is checked according to the specification given to the analysts.
Some of the abbreviations used there:
MSA (material sample advice)
RSD (relative standard deviation)
MSDS of finished product

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SOLVENT RECOVERY
Solvent Recovery is an environmentally and economically
feasible process used in pharmaceutical, chemical and
other industries employing the limited.

Solvent recovered at solvent recovery are

Sr. Name of g Boiling

no. solvent Density point °C
cm 3

1. MC 1.33 39
2 MIBK 0.8 117-118

3. PA 0.905 165
4. IPA 0.786 82.5
5. Methanol 0.785 65
6. Acetone 0.79 56
7. n-Butanol 0.81 121-122
8. EA 0.897 77.1
9. TEA 0.725 89.5

EQUIPMENT
 Reactor
 Pumps
 Distillation Column
 Receivers
 Spent Tank
 Reflux Drum
 Decanter
 Condenser

Types of valves used at solvent recovery are:

 Ball Valve
 Butterfly valves
 Safety valves(Relive valves )

10 | P a g e internship report Pharmagen

Temperature Sensor

 Thermocouple

AUXILIARIES
This is the list of auxiliaries used at solvent recovery

 Steam
 H 2 SO 4
 HCl
 Cooling Water
 Tab Water
 Chilled Water
 Caustic
 Electricity
 Compressed air

BY PRODUCT
It is the main by product of solvent recovery

 MOS( Mix Organic Solvent)

PRODUCTS
These are the products recovered at solvent recovery

 MC recd
 MIBK recd
 IPA recd
 PA recd
 Methanol recd
 Acetone recd
 n- butanol recd
 ea recd
 tea recd

SPENT
Spent is the chemical used in the production unit and can be recovered at solvent recovery.

11 | P a g e internship report Pharmagen

MC spent, Methanol spent, IPA spent, EA spent, TEA spent, n-butanol spent, PA crude, MIBK
spent, Acetone spent.

Flow diagram of solvent recovery

SOLVENT RECOVERY. ... A method to minimize hazardous waste by recovering

process solvents for reuse. Common techniques are distillation or absorption of the solvent from
a solvent-containing mixture.

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CAPACITY OF TANKS AND VESSELS
These are the capacities of the tanks/vessels/reactors at solvent recovery.

OG(on ground) tank 10500L-21000L

Reactors
CR -8 7000L

CR-9 4600L

CR -10 7000L

CR -11 7000L

Recivers
R -1 2600L

R -2 2600L

R-3 2600L

Reflux drum 300L

Decantor 150L

BD -1
Solvent Recovery

R -6 (reactor)

TEA vessel

New recovery is under construction.

BD -2
Solvent recovery

CR-8,CR-9,CR-10 and CR-11

At CR -8

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Recovery of MC ,MIBK, Acetone and Methanol spent takes place.

Spent (means used product)

Recovered(means which is gathered from the spent and then passes through the solvent recovery
plant and used again in the plant).

Recovery of MC:
1. Ensure that still empty and receivers are also clean and empty.
2. Vent value over CW and CHW feed and return lines of main and backing condenser.
3. Charge 7000L spent MC from MC over ground (OG) tank to still using transfer pump.
4. Apply steam (approx pressure =05-1.0kg/cm 2) to the jacket of still and distill off all MC
through decanter, reflux pot and collect in relevant receivers.
5. Adjust value in the decanter to drain upper water layer to disposal and collect denser
Methylene.
6. MC layer in the receiver through reflux pot.
7. Transfer the residue from still to effluent pit.
8. Recharge all distilled MC collected in stop No. 4 to still, heat the batch for 2nd distillation.
9. Complete azeotropic drying, when moisture drops less than 0.5% start collecting MC in
receivers at the rate of 200L/hr till column temp 60°C.
Note: Maintain half level in the reflux pot during fraction.
10. Start recording the control parameter in the relevant log sheet.
11. When column top temperature exceeds 60°C, wt off steam supply to jacket of still.
12. Transfer the residue to effluent pit-3 and wash still with plenty of water.
13. Close value on CW and CHW feed and return lines of main and backing condenser
respectively.
14. Sampling advice sheet of MC to Quality control lab.
15. MC passed by QC should be drum up or transfer to the OG tank.

Methanol and Acetone are recovered similar to the process mention above.

Note: This is the general procedure for MC recovery. Can vary to certain extent.

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HEAT EXCHANGER DESIGN
Step 1: Analyzing the application

Step 2: Identifying the fluid properties

1. Density.
2. Specific heat.
3. Thermal conductivity.
4. Viscosity.

Take these four parameters values at various temperatures.

Step 3: The energy balance

Flow rates in temperature and out temperature

Step 4: Defining the geometry of the heat exchangers.

1. Shell diameter.
2. Tube bundle.
3. Inner tube diameter.
4. Wall thuickness
5. Length of the inner tubes.

Dimensions of the shell and tube side fluid connections are defined

Step 5: Thermal calculations

 Heat transfer coefficient:
 Density, specific heat, thermal conductivity, viscosity and velocity
 Overall heat transfer coefficients
 Total heat transfer area needed for the application
 Area =duty/ [K*LMTD]
 Area=total heat transferred area required,m 2
 Duty = total heat transferred, Kcal/hr
 K= overall heat transfer coefficient, Kcal/ [hr.m 2, c]
 LMTD: log mean temperature difference ° C.

15 | P a g e internship report Pharmagen

Step 6: Interpretation of the thermal calculation:
 Geometer
 Pressure drop

Step 7: Mechanical design calculations:

 Calculation of shell wall thickness
 Calculation of nozzle wall thickness
 Calculation of inner tube wall thickness

Calculation of expansion joint dimensions(to compensate for shell and tube side differential
expansion due to temperature difference).

Calculation of tube

Step 8: Preparation of the manufacturing:

 Drawings.
 Shell
 Inner tubes
 Expansion joint
 Connections
 Tube sheet
 Baffles, etc

16 | P a g e internship report Pharmagen

Note: This heat exchanger design based on the assumed values, No practical application.

Step 1: Analyzing the application

Cold Fluid:
Methanol [shell side]

Inlet temperature=20°C=68F

Outlet temperature=64°C=147.2F

Cp =1.61KJ/kgF

Mass flow rate =100kg/hr

Hot fluid:
Water [tube side]

Inlet temperature=100°C=212F

Outlet temperature=x=?

Cp= 1.890KJ/Kg K

Mass flow rate=80Kg/hr

Heat load
Heat load = mCp∆T

17 | P a g e internship report Pharmagen

=100*1.61(147-68)

=161*79=12719KW

FindingT 2
Q1=Q2

12719=80*1.890(212-x)

12719=151.2(212-x)

84.12=212-x

X=212-84.12

X=127.88F

∆Tlm:
( Ti−t 2 )−(T 2−t 1)
∆Tlm= (T 1−t 2)
ln
(T 2−t 1)

( 212−147.2 )−(128−68)
∆Tlm= (212−147.2)
ln
(128−68)

( 65 )−(60)
∆Tlm= ( 65)
ln
( 60)

5
∆Tlm=
ln 1.083

5
∆Tlm=
0.077

∆ Tlm =65F

 use one shell pass and two tube passes

correction factor:

Ft=1

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∆Tm=1*65=65F

U=2000W/m2F

Provisional area
3
12719∗10
A=
65∗2000

12719∗103
A=
130000

A=0.0978*103

A=98m2

Assume the outer and internal diameter of the tubes:

Choosed o.d=20mm ,i.d=16mm ,length=4.83m , stainless steel

Tube sheet thickness

L=4.83m

Area of one tube=L*o.d*π=4.83*2010−3 =¿0.303m2

Area 98
Number of tubes= =
Area of one tube 0.303

=323.43

Triangular pitch=1.25
1
323.43 2.207
Bundle diameter Db=20[ ]
0.249

Db=514.98mm

Clearance diameter=59mm

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Shell diameter=514.98+59

=574mm

Tube side coefficient

212+ 127.88
Mean steam temperature=
2

=170F

3.14
Tube cross sectional area = *162
4

=201mm2

Tube per pass=324/2=162

Total flow area=162*201*10−6

=32562*10−6

=32562/106

=0.032562m2

Water mass velocity=flow rate/total flow area=0.022/0.0325

=0.683kg/sm2

Specification of water:
Density of water=1000kg/s

Water velocity=6.83*10−3 m/s

Viscosity of gasoline=0.000282kg/ms

Thermal conductivity=0.6W/mF

h idi µ 0.14
= j h ℜ Pr 0.33( )
kf µw
−3 −3
1000∗6.83∗10 ∗16∗10
Re=ƿudi/µ=
0.28∗10−3

20 | P a g e internship report Pharmagen

=390.3

1.890∗10−3∗0.28∗10−3
Pr=Cpu/kf=
0.6

=0.88*10−6

L 4.83∗103
=
di 16

=0.301*103

From[12]

j h =¿ 2.5∗10
−2
¿

0.6 −2 −6 0.33
hi= −3
∗2.5∗10 ∗390.3∗( 0.88∗10 )
16∗10

=35.07*10−3 W/m2 F

Shell side coefficient:

Choosed baffle spacing=Ds/5=574/5

=115mm

Tube pitch =1.25*20=25mm

(25−20)
Cross flow area As= ∗574∗115∗10−6
25

=0.013202m2

Mass velocity methanol=100/3600*(1/0.013202)

=2.098kg/sm2

1.1 2 2
Equivalent diameter de= ( ( 25 ) −0.917∗20 )
20

=14.2mm

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Mean shell side temperature=147.2+68/2

=107.6F

Specifications of methanol:
density= 782kg/m3

Viscosity of gasoil= 0.521mNs/m2

Cp=1.61kj/kgF

Thermal conductivity=0.203W/mF
−3
2.098∗14.2∗10
Re=Gsde/µ= −3 =57.23
0.521∗10

1.61∗0.521
Pr= =6.7
0.203

j h =1.5∗10
−2

0.203
hs= −3
∗1.5∗10−2∗54.23∗4.132
14.2∗10

hs =47.94

1
=
1 1
+ +
20∗10−3 ln ( 2016 ) + 2016∗1 + 20
16
∗1
U o 47.94 50 100 90 35.07∗10
−4

=350.50W/m2 F

Pressure drop:
Tube side

Re=390.3
−2
j s=2.5∗10

22 | P a g e internship report Pharmagen

 ( )
3 2
4.83∗10 1000∗0.683
∆Pt=2(8(2.5*10−2 ¿ +25 ¿
16 2

=29248.296N/m2

Shell side
Linear velocity

=2.098m/s

Re =57.23

j f =1.5*10−2

Neglect viscosity correction

( )( )
3
−2 574 4.83∗10 2
∆ Ps=8∗1.5∗10 (782∗0.9 )/2
14.2 115

=64KPa

 Results of this example could be other than this. It’s just an example.

BOILER

Company name: Thompson Cochran MULTIPAC B

Capacity: 4 ton steam

23 | P a g e internship report Pharmagen
Steam pressure: 6 bar

Fuel consumption: 3500Lit for 24hours

Type of boiler: fire tube

Type of fuel: furnace oil and natural gas.

Steam produced: 3.5 ton

Material of construction: Milled steel and stainless steel

Temperature of hot air: 250-300°C

Type of pumps: Multistage pumps

Temperature of water entering: 90°C

Boiler safety: Boiler should be used according to the SOP’s of international standards. Keep
proper maintenance.

Compressed air pressure used in plant: 5.05bar

Frequently Asked Questions About Solvent Recovery

By: Ammar Aziz

Q.1: What is solvent recovery?

Ans.: Solvent recovery is used to recover solvents from the residue of production plant, which
are mostly used in the plants during different processes.

Q.2: What is the procedure of solvent recovery?

Ans.: At solvent recovery spent solvent is charged into still where it is heated to the boiling point
of the solvent (desired product) it passes through the distillation column, then these vapors are
cooled down through condensers and in the end they are collected into receivers.

Q.3: Which type of equipment is used in solvent recovery?

Ans.: At solvent recovery plant the main equipment used includes 1.reactor (still) 2.distillation
column 3.condenser 4.decanter 5.reflux drum 6.pumps.

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Q.4: What are the auxiliaries used in this plant?

Ans.: Steam, cooling water, chilled water, compressed air, electricity, caustic, HCL and
H 2 SO 4 are used inthis plant .

Q.5: What is the purpose of reactor at solvent recovery?

Ans.: In solvent recovery reactor mostly used for boiling the feed.

Q.6: How are the contents of the reactor heated?

Ans.: The contents of the reactor are heated through steam, which circulates inside a steam
jacket coiled around the still.

Q.7: How is steam provided?

Ans.: Steam is supplied through insulated pipelines coming from the boilers to the plant and then
the heat is transferred to the system through steam jackets.

Q.8: What is the construction material of all the main equipment?

Ans.: Construction material of main equipment of plant is SS (Stainless Steel)

Q.9: What is the purpose of packed bed distillation column?

Ans.: Although packed bed columns are used most often for absorption, they are also used for
the distillation of vapor-liquid mixtures. The packing provides a large surface area for vapor-
liquid contact, which increases the column's effectiveness. Distillation columns are also used to
provide residence time to the constituents of the solvent to purify and it provides temperature
gradients.

Q.10: How many unit operations take place inside the distillation column?

Ans.: Heat transfer, mass transfer, vaporization, condensation, rectification and stripping take
place inside the distillation column.

Q.11: Which type of distillation takes place inside the column?

Ans.: Flash distillation takes place inside the column of solvent recovery.

Q.12: Which type of packing is used inside the distillation column?

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Ans.: Packing of ceramic is used in the PA recovery because H 2 SO 4 is also used for the PA
recovery in other recoveries Paul rings are used.

Q.13: How do vapors move through the distillation column?

Ans.: Vapors move in the upward direction due to heat and due to low pressure inside the
distillation column than reactor.

Q.14: How do vapors move from the top of the distillation column to the condenser?

Ans.: When vapors, inside the condenser, condenses, they create vacuum due to condensation so
more vapors enter into the condenser

Q.15: Which types of condensers are used in solvent recovery?

Ans.: Shell and tube type condensers are used.

Q.16: What is the purpose of main condenser and backing condenser?

Ans.: Main condenser uses cooling water as a cooling agent but the backing condenser uses
chilled water as a cooling agent.

Q.17: What is the purpose of decanter?

Ans.: Decanter is used to settle the components of the fluid coming from the condenser. It is
used to control the supply.

Q.18: Which types of valves are used?

Ans.: Mostly ball valves are used throughout the pipe lines. Safety valves are used at still
(pressure relief valves).

Q.19: Which types of pumps are used?

Ans.: Centrifugal pumps are used for transferring solvents. Vacuum pump is used along the PA
recovery. Pneumatic pumps are used for charging still and drums.

Q.20: Which type of gauge is used to measure pressure?

Ans.:  Bourdon gauge is used to measure pressure.

Q.21: Why is ball valve used?

Ans.: Because it is easy to operate and it has less chance of leakages.

Q.22: Which type of precautionary measures must be taken while charging H 2 SO 4 ?

26 | P a g e internship report Pharmagen

Ans.: Water must be completely absent throughout the path of H 2 SO4 supply line.

Q.23: Why does steam enter from the top of the still?

Ans.: Steam enters from the top of the still because when it condenses, the condensate moves in
the downward direction. If steam enters from the bottom the condensate moves downward and it
accumulate steam there so heat transfers to the condensate instead of solvent in the still.

Q.24: Why do vapors enter from the top of the main condenser?

Ans.: Vapors enter from the top because in the condenser when vapors condense, they move in
the downward direction due to gravity. If vapors enter from the bottom the condensate does not
allow the vapors to enter inside the condenser.

Q.25: Which type of flow meter is used to measure the flow rate?

Ans.: Rota meter is used.

Q.26: Which type of temperature sensor is used here?

Ans.: thermo couple.

Q.27: How do we come to know that solvent is recovered?

Ans.: we come to know by collecting sample from the receivers and reflux drum, by checking
the moisture from QC lab. When the amount of moisture is according to the requirement the
product is collected in the recovered tank.

Q.28: How much amount of packing is used inside the distillation column?

Ans.: It is mostly 75% volume of one stage of the distillation column.

Q.29: Why are some of the distillation column taller and some shorter?

Ans.: Effluent and crude are treated in the recovery have shorter column.

Q.30: What is the purpose of u-shape bend in the pipe lines?

Ans.: It’s main purpose to avoid backward flow or to trap gases and fluid.

Q.31: Why are scrubbers used?

Ans.:  Air pollution control device can be used to remove some particulates or gases from
industrial exhaust streams. Scrubbers are used to suck fumes from contaminated area and release
them in the atmosphere in safe condition.

27 | P a g e internship report Pharmagen

Q.32: Why is water sprinkled over fumes when they pass through the column of the scrubber?

Ans.: To wash the gases and fumes which are going to be exhausted and the exhaust gases of
combustion may contain substances considered harmful to the environment, the scrubber may
remove or neutralize them. A wet scrubber is used for cleaning air, fuel gas or other gases of
various pollutants and dust particles.

Q.33: Why is pneumatic pump used?

Ans.: Where there are chances of fire or corrosive material needs to be transferred then
preferable choice is the pneumatic pump.

Q.34: What are the advantages of pneumatic pump?

Ans.: Simple design and can operate by simple on-off control.

Pneumatic systems are reliable generally have long operating lives and require little
maintenance. Because gas is compressible, equipment is less subject to shock damage. Gas
absorbs excessive force, whereas fluid in hydraulics directly transfers force. Compressed gas can
be stored, so machines still run for a while if electrical power is lost.

Safe to use, they can operate at inflammable places, because of pneumatic pump very low
chance of fire.
Q.35: What is the power of pump used at solvent recovery?

Ans.: Power of pump is 2.2KW.

Q.36: What is the capacity of the pump?

Ans.: Pump capacity is 10 m3 /h r .

Q.37: What is the capacity of the vessels and equipment used at solvent recovery?

Ans.: In general

Sr.no. Name of Capacity in

equipment liters
1 Tank 21000
2 Reactor 7000
3. Decanter 150
4. Reflux pot 300
5. Receiver 2000

Q.38: What are the specifications of the solvents recovered at solvent recovery?

28 | P a g e internship report Pharmagen

Ans.: Specifications of solvents

Sr. Name of g Boiling

no. solvent Density 3 point °C
cm

1. MC 1.33 39
2 MIBK 0.8 117-118

3. PA 0.905 165
4. IPA 0.786 82.5
5. Methanol 0.785 65
6. Acetone 0.79 56
7. n-Butanol 0.81 121-122
8. EA 0.897 77.1
9. TEA 0.725 89.5

Q.39: What is the type of steam jacket of reactor at solvent recovery?

Ans.: The type of jacket is Half-Pipe Coil Jacket.

Q.40: Which type of reactor is used at solvent recovery?

Ans.: Batch reactor is used at solvent recovery.

Q.41: What is Methylene Choride?

Ans.: Methylene Chloride (DCM, Dichloromethane) is an organic compound with

the formula CH2Cl2. This colorless, volatile liquid with a moderately sweet aroma is widely used
as a solvent. Although it is not miscible with water, it is miscible with many organic solvents.1

DCM is the least toxic of the simple chlorohydrocarbons, but it is not without health risks, as its
high volatility makes it an acute inhalation hazard.2

Q.42: What is PA (Pivalic Acid)?

1
Rossberg, M. et al. (2006) "Chlorinated Hydrocarbons" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry,
Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. 
2
Rioux JP, Myers RA (1988). "Methylene chloride poisoning: a paradigmatic review". J Emerg Med. 6 (3): 227–238. 

29 | P a g e internship report Pharmagen

Ans. Pivalic acid is a carboxylic acid with a molecular formula of (CH3)3CCO2H. It is colorless.
It is solid at room temperature. Like most carboxylic acids pivalic acid is a mild irritant and only
weakly toxic.

Q.43: What is EA(Ethyl Alcohol)?

Ans. Ethyl Alcohol also called ethanol molecular formula is C2H5OH. Ethyl alcohol is an
important industrial chemical; it is used as a solvent. 

Q.44: What is IPA(Isopropyl Alcohol)?

Ans. Isopropyl alcohol is a compound with the chemical formula C3H8O or C3H7OH or

CH3CHOHCH3. It is a colorless, flammable chemical compound with a strong odor. Isopropyl
alcohol vapors are denser than air and are flammable, with a flammability range of between 2
and 12.7% in air. It should be kept away from heat and open flame. Isopropyl alcohol has been
reported to form peroxides which may explode upon concentration.3 Isopropyl alcohol is a skin

irritant.4

Q.45: What is methanol?

Ans. Methanol is a chemical. It’s chemical formula is CH3OH. Methanol is poisonous.

Symptoms may include a decreased level of consciousness, poor
coordination, vomiting, abdominal pain, and a specific smell on the breath.5 It is flammable

liquid.

3
 "Isopropanol". Sigma-Aldrich. 19 January 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
4
 Kolar, Wes (July 11, 2000). "Lab Safety Review: Danger! – Peroxides Present"
5
 Kruse, JA (October 2012). "Methanol and ethylene glycol intoxication.". Critical care clinics. 28 (4)

30 | P a g e internship report Pharmagen

Little Suggestion :

Pharmagen is one of the reputable companies in the field of bulk production of pharmaceuticals.

I worked at solvent recovery as an internee, I observed that they reduced the waste as much as
they can, which save loss of useful products and also save the environment. By periodic
maintenance of equipment company can save the loss of steam and other utilities at solvent
recovery.

Install PLC systems to control the process efficiently and effectively at solvent recovery.

I hope these suggestions are already in the knowledge of company. THANKS

31 | P a g e internship report Pharmagen

Nomenclature

CW Cooling Water

CHW Chilled Water

HSE Health, Safety and Environment

MC Methylene Chloride

MIBK Methyl Isobutyl Ketone

PA Pivalic Acid

IPA Isopropyle Alcohol

EA Ethyl Alcohol

TEA Triethyl Amine

CR Ceph. Reactor

QC Quality Control

32 | P a g e internship report Pharmagen