DRY COMPACTION GRANULATION
GRANULATION AND RECYCLE
Throughput varies from 250kg/hr to 30 tonnes per day,
depending upon the choice of machine size, characteristics of
the feed materials and whether or not recycling is required.
The powders are first compacted into thin slabs and then
reduced in size by milling or nibbling. Fines and oversize
account for about half of the milled product and these are
removed by sieving and then recycled. The sieving step can be
deleted or minimised where dustiness is not a problem and
higher throughput will achieve cost savings. Examples include
when the product is to be tabletted or when a large pastille
shape is produced.
RAW MATERIALS
All systems are designed to accept feed in big bags or sacks.
Raw materials can be blended before compaction using
ploughshare or U-trough mixers. Ideally the raw materials should not be too
fine otherwise special equipment may be necessary which has
the effect of reducing throughput. Where the characteristics of
the product dictate, we provide forced cooling with liquid
nitrogen or dehumidification of the process rooms.
CHOICE OF MACHINE SIZE
The systems are complex and the cost of cleaning them means that some
customers prefer us to dedicate a smaller machine which is in use
throughout the month (but does not require an expensive cleandown step)
rather than a large machine that does the job in less time but then needs a
cleandown for each order.
QUALITY
The systems are constructed from stainless steel and we comply with food
GMP standards. Batch traceability is available as standard. Testing to ISO
9002 includes particle size distribution, flowability, friability, density and
dustiness according to your instructions.
FINISHED PRODUCT SIZE
The shapes of the granules are angular but they behave similar to spheres
when the average size is less than 1mm. Sizes of up to 2 or 3mm are quite
common. For larger sizes we produce pastilles, pebbles and briquettes but
when a customer has a unique requirement there may be a charge for
purchasing a new set of specially shaped rolls.
