A clear understanding of the ambient Temperature and humidity vis-a-vis the RH and temperature required for the process helps obtain consistent results. This relationship is often not clearly or completely understood by many equipment designers and manufacturers – let alone the users.

Usually the FBE equipment supplier is entrusted with the responsibility to supply the equipment as a complete package including the air handling unit. However, considering the criticality of the process, it is advisable that a company specialized in the process air treatment be employed to ensure that the air treatment system developed is not only able to maintain constant supply air temperature and humidity irrespective of outside air condition but is also energy efficient and meets the regulatory requirements of cGMP.

As the process air is not recirculated, energy costs for the air handling system are very high. To achieve process efficiency and product consistency, the equipment as well as the control systems need to be matched correctly to ensure air is supplied at or near the required conditions. A well-designed system with integrated control ensures better yield and lower rejections as well as quicker processing times thus saving energy. The payback period is extremely short – with investment often recovered in the first batch itself.