Mycelia cake, the byproduct of Aureomycin production, contains 60% volatile butanol solvent vapors that made Lederle's use of ovens for drying dangerous. The ovens also resulted in loss of heat energy and solvent. After considering a number of other drying methods to improve the process, Lederle Laboratories decided on the use of Wyssmont TURBO-DRYER®. They installed two units. They use nitrogen/carbon dioxide inert heating gas that is recirculated and the butanol isreclaimed in a condenser. The installation operates automatically. Oxygen content is held to less than 5%. Explosive-gas detectors are used for safety. To prevent leakage of solvent vapors, the dryers are operated under a slight negative pressure

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