Powder and Solids Handling Solutions – CPI Event Shows How
The ease with which powders are processed can make or break the viability of manufacturing operations. At the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) Powder and Solids Handling Solutions event, CPI scientists were joined by leading solids handling equipment maker, Ajax Equipment, P&G and InnovPharm to review innovative approaches to current industry powder and solids handling problems.
Based in Sedgefield, Teesside, CPI is a UK technology innovation centre and the process element of the Government’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult. Its scientists enable companies to develop, prove, prototype and scale-up the next generation of products and processes. Efficient formulation is critical when creating multi-component, multi-phase products, and especially the role of complex solids handling and preparation. CPI is the hub of Project Chariot, researching the processing and coating of fine powders and features a, highly configurable, powder handling facility supplied by Ajax Equipment.
Ajax Equipment, technical director, Eddie McGee, presented on ‘Providing solutions for effective handling and processing of powders and other bulk solids’ giving delegates an insight into common problems in hopper design and how to avoid them through an understanding of the powder’s flow properties. Asking question such as: does it vary in condition? Is it homogeneous, consistent and stable? What’s the worst condition to be handled? Together with powder testing, used in conjunction with spider diagram visualisation of the results, can be a powerful tool for hopper and equipment design.
In addition to tips on maximising the efficient operation of screw feeders, the Ajax presentation also highlighted the benefits of a dedicated bidirectional screw feeder over conventional reversing feeders. Through a combination of innovative screw design, and longer hopper outlet, the bi-direction screw is able to simultaneously serve two outlets, as well as just a single outlet.
Continuous Mixing
Continuous mixing figured strongly in the seminar. It was the first opportunity for many delegates to hear some of the findings of Project Chariot. Jerome Castro of P&G reported on ‘Practical Experiments and Experience of the Ajax Twin Screw Mixer from Coating to Agglomeration’. All aspects of continuous mixing have been explored by P&G including multipoint filling and fill level, spraying liquid, back mixing, inclined mixing (up to 20 degrees) and pulsed RTD to measure the mixing and coating effectiveness. The presentation showed how the continuous mixer offers a practically unlimited range of configurable options for mixing and coating, and the ease with which to fine tune mixing to suit project requirements.
The challenge of measuring the degree of coating inline during mixing was presented by Mike Mulcahy, sales and marketing director at InnoPharma. His overview highlighted the role of process analytical technology and the various techniques in use, and in development, for measuring coating thickness.
For more information on AJAX's continuous mixers please visit our
Continuous Mixer page or call AJAX on 44 (0)1204 386723.
