Fluid bed apparatus module and method of changing a first module for a second module in a fluid bed apparatus

A method of processing a pharmaceutical product in a fluid bed apparatus, comprising the following steps:

• batch processing a pharmaceutical product in a processing chamber enclosed by an outer wall of a first module of the fluid bed apparatus, whereby lower and upper flange connections of the first module are disconnected from corresponding lower and upper flange connections of a supply of fluidising gas and of a filter chamber for gas discharge, respectively, of the apparatus,
• replacing the first module of the fluid bed apparatus by a second module of the fluid bed apparatus, and connecting lower and upper flange connections of the second module with the corresponding lower and upper flange connections of the apparatus, and
• processing a pharmaceutical product in a processing chamber enclosed by an outer wall of the second module of the fluid bed apparatus, wherein the replacement of the first module by the second module results in the arrangement of at least one partition element in the processing chamber, so that at least one elongated channel is formed in the processing chamber, thereby defining a plug-flow area, by that at least one continuous product inlet of the module is connected with a substantially continuous product supply of the apparatus, by that at least one continuous product outlet of the module is connected with a substantially continuous product discharge of the apparatus, and by that a continuous flow of pharmaceutical product forms a plug-flow through the elongated channel.