4 AGGLOMERATION PROCESSES
Our continuous fluid bed drying capacity achieves up to 1 tonne per
hour of dried product but the actual yield of granules will depend
upon the choice of processor, the water concentration, the dryness
required and the amount of recycle produced. Somewhat uniquely,
we can fit 4 different processors into the system in order to create
exactly the right granule for you. See below.
This equipment is manufactured from stainless steel and our system
complies with food GMP standards. It is only available at the present
time at our NL site.
After formation of the granule there is some clumping together of
the granules as well as some attrition in the fluid bed drier. These
tops and tails are firstly removed and then recycled back with feed
material. The amount of this recycle will depend upon the type of
processor chosen and on the selection of the final granule size.
TYPES OF GRANULE PRODUCED
The choice of processor is mainly dependent upon your requirements
for size, porosity and density. Then one has to consider preferences
for shape and whether or not you need high shear.
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| The size is to a great extent fixed with the Schugi Flexomix and the Lodige CB. It is the size of the traditional detergent granule. The Schugi produces a more open structure (1) whilst the Lodige offers the greater density (2). We have access to 2 forms of extrusion (3). The first is low shear and it involves a preblended wet mass which is formed into a cylindrical shape. The second system involves high shear which enables the kneading or working of a heavy paste, which is then extruded as above. | ||
OTHER APPLICATIONS
The feeding system can accept wet or damp granules which are
conveyed directly to the continuous drier for the simple removal of
water.
The system is also suited to the incorporation of liquids (4) or melts
into and onto the surface of powders or granules. Applications cover
dedusting, colouring, fragrancing, wetting out and more besides.
Plans are under way to convert molten liquids to granules or pearls
(5) using this system.
