Archive April 2009

Dispersion stability, particle size, particle shape, dielectric constant matter -Hall 6.3 P23-Q23 LUM GmbH welcomes you to inform about latest news in the field of dispersion analysis, particle and liquid characterization. Not only LUM products but also instruments for particle image analysis and the measurement of dielectric constants are presented. The Dispersion Analyzer LUMiSizer® made by L.U.M. GmbH is the complete dispersion lab in just one instrument. For real-time characterization L.U.M. GmbH is presenting the new product lines LUMiReader® and LUMiCheck®. The Demixing Tester LUMiCheck® is used for fast stability analysis and particle characterization with respect to comparison of different samples. Powdershape automatic (Innovative Sinter Technologien AG, CH) is an image analysis based system that enables to characterize statistically size and shape of fibres or fibre like objects by several parameters such as: grain (grit) size, max size, min size, ellipticity, convexity. With the new Liquid Dielectric Constant Meter 871 (Nihon Rufuto Co., Ltd., Japan)…

ProCell LabSystem for testing fluid bed and spouted bed processes „ProCell LabSystem“ is not only the new name of the largest mobile Glatt lab unit –but, all fluid bed and spouted bed processes can be tested in batch and continuous mode with only one equipment. The continuous operating mode is especially preferred for the liquid-only , spray granulation process. In batch mode this process can be tested only within narrow limitations. The “ProCell LabSystem” has evolved from the lab unit ProCell 5, which has been sold and rented to numerous customers. This customer experience and satisfaction was driven by the excellent operating reliability and process flexibility of the equipment. The “new” lab unit will now offer four different process systems.. Customers can select one, two, three or all four process options, based on the needs of the desired product or project, as necessary. Using the “ProCell-system”, spouted bed processes can be tested. The spouted bed technology is extending the possibilities to process…

Complete program ball valve specially designed for shutting-off powered media and granules KGL 400-series ball valves use fewer individual parts, have space-saving elements, are based on a practical modular principle and are easy to switch. The free cylindrical pass reduces flow resistance to a minimum and the dual-sided bearing configuration of the ball ensures a uniformly low switching torque throughout the entire pressure region. Optional special design with aerodynamic jam-free discharge flange for use with media that easily clog the fitting. design with self-adjusting seal system for a permanent fitting seal. Design with strong seal system, developed specifically for use with powdered and granular goods and suitable for fluids such as mineral oils. Nominal size 50 to 150 available in several material combinations and flanges type`s` as DIN2501 or pipe thread per DIN 259

Spray granulation for granules and pellets made directly from liquid raw material Fluid bed technology is used in various applications especially for agglomeration of powder or for encapsulation of tailor-made products with functional coatings. The contract manufacturer IPC International Process Center in Dresden, an associated company of the Glatt group, offers such technologies as contract manufacturing service since many years with growing success. In addition to batch processing IPC has installed continuous production facilities at the beginning of this year. Besides the well known agglomeration and pelletization processes, continuous fluid bed processing allows for spray granulation. With this technology granules or pellets can be made directly from liquid raw material. The products are compact and dust free granules with a mean diameter between 100 µm and 3 mm. Thus spray granulation is an alternative to spray dryers, the conventional process to dry liquids. The patented design of the processing chamber of the ProCell, a spouted…

No dismantling of filter bags during wash cycle Wash in place – bag filters have also existed for several years. Glatt has frequently used them for the design of continuous fluid beds. Washing nozzles are installed in the clean and raw gas chamber at the top of the filter bags. During the wash cycle they flush the filter bags from the raw gas side and wash down all the dust on the surface. The quality of the washing process depends on the product. Our experience shows that in many applications the filters are clean for the next product. In order to improve the efficiency of the WIP step and to adjust the design of the specific granulator needs, we have now developed our own design of spray nozzles and filter bags. The filter has been installed in a GFG 250 and will soon be tested in full scale. Tests on our pilot unit were successful in 2008. After washing and rinsing the filter bags are dried in the fluid or spouted bed unit, and the next production campaign can start. This filter has a walk-in clean gas chamber…

ACHEMA Hall 6.3 P23-Q23 The Dispersion Analyzer LUMiSizer® made by L.U.M. GmbH is the complete dispersion lab in just one instrument. The LUMiSizer® simultaneously determines the demixing of 12 different dilute or concentrated dispersions. Based on the patented STEP®-Technology, the demixing phenomena are quantified regarding clarification, sedimentation and flotation velocities of the particles, residual turbidity, separated phase volume and sediment consolidation or dewaterability. Due to the acceleration of the demixing in the LUMiSizer up to a factor of 2300, information about e.g. colloidal stability, surfactant influence, particle size, agglomeration and flocculation of ceramic dispersions is obtained in drastically shortened time. Further applications include the determination of the influence of the specific surface area on the particle size distribution of silicon carbide, of different solvents on the particle size and agglomeration state of hydroxyapatite, or stability and…

Wherever a comprehensive inductive metal detection is unsuitable for plant design reasons in the chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetical, Food and animal feedstuffs industry, there are extensive damages to machines and products caused by metallic particle contamination. Delivery delays, non-compliance to supply agreements and contractual penalties can be the consequences, but in worst cases it can lead to irreparable damages to the company image. To meet these demands, Ebbecke has now put a new plant in operation, which is especially designed for the detection of ferrite metal and stainless steel particles. This new system provides an extremely sensible detection, thus additionally to the separation of bigger parts like screws and nuts also very small contaminations such as filings or metal threads are detected without problems. All common types of containers like silo wagons, big bags, octabins, drums, cardboard boxes and sacks can be used as charging and discharging…

By installation of a new technical center, the leading contract processing company from Bruchköbel, Germany provides the possibility of ensuring once more the technical, monetary and qualitative aspects before production start. From now on, customer specifications can be verified at the Schöneck works by filling and refilling, mixing, coating, fine and micro grinding, separating, drying, screening, metal detecting, roll compacting, granulating etc. on the laboratory scale, before the start of any bigger production campaigns. The company, as a partner of the international industry from the areas of chemistry, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food and feedstuffs, rubber, plastics and many more, is therefore able to offer new services, for example complete implementation of new products from lab scale to production scale and large-scale production. In addition to self-developed Ebbecke long-stroke screen PLANOSCREEN several more systems by well-known manufacturers…

Tapco Inc., an industry-leading manufacturer of elevator buckets and elevator bolts, recently added the Western 3-Prong bolt to its product line. The Western 3-Prong bolt, available worldwide, joins Tapco’s existing styles: the No. 1 Norway Flat Countersunk, No. 3 Eclipse (Slotted), Fanged, and Pointed Fanged. The Western 3-Prong bolt, historically used in Western Canada, offers resistance, engagement and strength at a cost-effective price. Tapco is the only company that stocks the Western 3-Prong bolt in stainless steel. Tapco offers the largest selection of elevator bolts in North America with an inventory of more than 14 million pieces in 38 sizes (Metric and Imperial).

For continuous fluid bed and spouted bed equipment Fluid bed and spouted equipment requires additional space to service the filter on top of the already tall equipment. Up to 2.5 meters are required above the fluid bed contraption in order to exchange 6 m long filter bags. Glatt has now integrated horizontal filters into the fluid bed. The height of the equipment is decreased by putting the clean gas chamber to the side, resulting in no space being required above the fluid bed unit. Doors on the side of the clean gas chamber enable easy access to the filter elements. Exchanging of the filter elements is in actual fact easier from the side compared to the top. A further advantage is the possibility to design the room at the side of the clean gas chamber as a wash room with a solid floor and tight connection to the fluid bed unit. The dust-loaden filters are handled only within this room, contaminating no other parts of the plant with the filter dust. Having removed the filter plates the complete fluid bed unit can…

Eliminating load platforms and saving energy - New palletless unit loads are cold stretch wrapped Achema is the debut for the palletless stretch package based on the reverse hood system developed by Maschinenfabrik Möllers GmbH of Beckum, Germany, announced as a unique breakthrough. The exhibit comprises 59 bags of chemicals weighing 1,475 kg, representing a new type of unit load with the form and function of pallet loads, but dispensing with the load platform. The stack of bags is bound entirely by two hoods wrapped in opposite directions made of ultra-stretch film and a film base, to form a robust shipping unit which can be handled with forklifts and cranes. The packaging system manufacturer emphasizes the advantage of major cost savings by doing away with pallets, combined with additional protection of the goods against moisture, dirt and theft. The decisive advance in this breakthrough compared to existing reverse hood shrink packages in ecological and economic terms is the drastic reduction in energy consumption, since no heat is now required.

The door specialist EFAFLEX presents its patented door area surveillance via its laserscanner EFA-SC EFA-SCAN® is the first laser scanner worldwide for doors. The scanner completely captures the whole area in front of the door and intelligently combines motion capturing and reliable door area protection in only one device. When a moving object or a person is scanned the device reacts within a fraction of a second and the door opens. Geometry and logic of the capturing zone – with a maximum range of 10 x 10 meters – can be freely chosen. EFA-SCAN® not only detects movements but also captures their range, direction and speed. The impulse for opening is only transmitted to the door if vehicles or persons move in the direction of the door. The impulse is not transmitted if a person for instance only passes by the door. In the static safety area directly in front of the door EFA-SCAN® reacts like a security system: the scanner captures the complete width of the door and prevents the door from closing as soon as moving or static obstacles are scanned. The depth of…

Sensor adjustment at a new level of quality and compatibility FDT/DTM technology for adjustment of field instruments is the state of the art. It is well established on the market for use with sensors, actuators and gateways, and is offered by many instrument manufacturers. To obtain a better overview within the DTMs of different manufacturers, many users have for some time been requesting a standardised design for the user interface. Measured values and similar recurring information from the instruments must be found quickly and easily without a long search. This demand has been taken into account in the FDT-Style-Guide created by the FDT Group. Now, the manufacturers of DTMs have at their fingertips a standard that defines a uniform, user-friendly adjustment interface, and that without having to forego the option of individual arrangement and design. In the future, the FDT-Style-Guide will be the characteristic feature of a customer-oriented design and an integral part of the DTM certification. As the first major provider…

VEGAPULS radar sensors are considered "state of the art" in the market. With more than 200,000 installed and operating, the VEGAPULS instruments are the most sold radar-based level sensors in the world. At ACHEMA 2009, the next generation of the tried-and-true pulse radar technology from VEGA will be making its debut. These sensors belong to the new instrument generation plics®plus. Through the extension of the temperature range to 450 °C and the higher chemical resistance of the antennas, this new generation of radar sensors has a much wider application spectrum. Additional housing versions, an optimised connection concept and simplified operation thanks to clear adjustment parameters make setup and commissioning even easier. New, ultrafast microprocessors provide more power for signal analysis and enable complex processing algorithms. Modern electronic components allow a never-before realised signal evaluation and a better differentiation between product level and vessel installations. Due to the considerably faster signal processing,…

All you need on the field of compressed air GrassAir Compressoren, specialist on the field of compressed air and its applications has completely renewed her website. This is the adress for information about pistoncompressors, screwcompressors, oilfree scroll and WIS compressors. Variable speed controlled screwcompressors and the extraordinairy energysavings that are possible with these products. The controll and monitor possibilities on complex compressed air istallations, but also for smaller set ups. How can we dry the compressed air? With fridge dryers or adsorption dryers? Find on the GrassAir website how these products can be integrated into the compressed air production process and will lead to an efficient energy consumption. Filtration of compressed air? Condensate cleaning? Individual advice? Possibility of subsidization? Maintenance on your installation? Look into our website and use our special knowledge and our wide product portfolio.