Processing system having a process injection apparatus

A method of introducing a process ingredient unstable in a process solution of a process into the process without significant degradation of the process ingredient, the method comprising:

• providing a process solution and a process ingredient for a process, wherein the process ingredient is unstable upon exposure to the process solution;
• connecting a process ingredient supply line to an injection point in a process solution supply line for the process;
• determining when process ingredient is required in the process;
• providing a flow of the required process ingredient through the process ingredient supply line into the process solution in the process solution supply line as the process solution flows through the process solution supply line to the process;
• terminating the flow of the required process ingredient through the process ingredient supply line when an amount of the process ingredient sufficient for the process has been pumped to the process solution supply line;
• exposing the process ingredient to the process solution for a period of time less than that required to significantly degrade the ingredient upon exposure to the solution;
• optionally, flowing the process ingredient through a recirculation loop when the process ingredient is not required in the process;
• and, optionally
• mixing the ingredient with the process solution in the process solution supply line with a mixer positioned in the process solution supply line.

A coating system for applying a coating to a mass of centers, the coating system comprising:

• a coating apparatus and a coating ingredient injection apparatus, wherein the coating apparatus comprises:
• a coating solution supply, a coating vessel, and a coating solution supply line, connecting the coating solution supply and the coating vessel;
• wherein
• the coating solution supply and the coating vessel are in fluid communication through the coating solution supply line, and the coating apparatus is configured and adapted to supply coating solution from the coating solution supply, through the coating solution supply line, and to the coating vessel for coating a mass of centers;
• and
• the coating ingredient injection apparatus comprises:
• a coating ingredient source and a coating ingredient supply line, the coating ingredient supply line having a first end and a second end, the first end in fluid communication with the coating ingredient source, and the second end in fluid communication with an injection point of the coating apparatus positioned in the coating solution supply line at a point upstream of the coating vessel;
• wherein
• the coating ingredient source and the coating apparatus are in fluid communication through the coating ingredient supply line and the injection point, and the coating injection apparatus is configured and adapted to supply a coating ingredient from the coating ingredient source, through the coating ingredient supply line and through the injection point to the coating apparatus for use in the coating vessel;
• and wherein
• the injection point is sufficiently close to the coating vessel that coating ingredient flowing through the injection point is exposed to any coating solution in the coating apparatus for a period of time less than that required to significantly degrade the coating ingredient upon exposure to the coating solution.

A coating ingredient injection apparatus for supplying a coating ingredient to a panning apparatus, the coating ingredient injection apparatus comprising:

• a coating ingredient source and a coating ingredient supply line, the coating ingredient supply line having a first end and a second end, the first end in fluid communication with the coating ingredient source, and the second end configured and adapted for insertion into a coating solution supply line of a panning apparatus at a point upstream of a coating vessel of the panning apparatus, thereby providing an injection point in the coating solution supply line;
• wherein
• the coating ingredient source and the injection point are in fluid communication through the coating ingredient supply line, and the coating ingredient injection apparatus is configured and adapted to supply a coating ingredient from the coating ingredient source and through the coating ingredient supply line to the injection point for use in a coating process in the coating vessel;
• and wherein
• the second end is configured to position the injection point sufficiently close to the coating vessel, such that coating ingredient flowing through the injection point is exposed to any coating solution in the panning apparatus for a period of time less than that required to significantly degrade the ingredient upon exposure to the solution.