Built-in versatility - Fluid Bed Processing


For maximum process flexibility, Aeromatic-Fielder can supply a single Fluid Bed unit or Multi-Processor™ system with interchangeable modules or the NEW Flexstream™ fluid bed processor with granulation, drying and pellet coating (or tablet coating) in ONE processor.


Drying
Warm air is blown through a perforated distributor to rapidly and gently dry materials until the required residual moisture content is reached. Moisture evaporated from the product is exhausted with the drying air.

Batch Fluid Bed Dryer
When drying fine wet solids in a fluid bed the speed of the air flow supports the particles and transforms them into a fluid-like state. Once in this state, the external surface of each particle is exposed to the heated moving air which creates a heat and mass transfer. Heat is transferred to the particles in order to evaporate the liquid and mass is transferred as a vapour into the moving air. Heat transfer in a fluid bed dryer takes place by convection which is the transfer of heat from one point to another. This has the effect of removing the solvent from the particles and exhausting the moisture laden air away from the product container. The air used to fluidise the product bed is normally heated so that the heat transfer process is very rapid. Batch drying time and good fluidisation are controlled by the inlet air temperature and the air flow volume. The higher the inlet air temperature, the greater capacity it has to hold vapour. The correct level of air flow volume will maintain the fluid state of the product bed and minimise any attrition.

Special features
- Selection of air distributors
- Short process time

Top Spray Granulator
The top spray granulator agglomerates finer particles into larger, free flowing granulates in a one-pot process. Ingredients are mixed and pre-heated by an upward flow of heated air. Granulation occurs by spraying liquid into the fluidized powder. The granules are subsequently dried with heated air. The top spray granulator can also be used for top spray coating, layering from liquids, and instantizing.

Special features
- One pot process
- Selection of air distributors

Spray Dryer Granulator

The spray dryer granulator transforms suspensions or solutions into dry, freeflowing, dustless granules. A suspension or solution of the substance to be dried is sprayed onto warm air, simultaneously drying and agglomerating the product. Batch or continuous discharge is available in the continuous mode, the product is discharged at a controlled rate to maintain an optimum bed height.

Special features
- Compact unit
- Easy scale-up
- Batch or continuous discharge

Precision-Granulator™

A rotating high velocity air stream is established in the central agglomeration tube. Particles are picked up at the base of the tube and accelerated by the air stream. The particles come into contact with liquid droplets produced from the spray nozzle at the base of the tube \ the relative velocity of air, liquid droplets and particles are high so wetting is efficient and drying begins almost immediately. Most of the feed material is in the outer “holding area”, where the gas velocity is very low. Attrition is greatly reduced. The gas humidity is also low in the holding area so the material is  dry not sticky. Individual particles may make repeated cycles (typically from 10 to 1,000) through the tube, allowing very large agglomerates to be built up.

Precision-Coater™

Used for smaller particles, such as powders, granules, seeds, crystals, pellets, and small tablets. The product is coated and partially dried by being blown upward through a central column with atomized liquid and drying air. The material falls into the outer part of the container where heated air completes the drying process. On reaching the air distributor at the base of the module, the product flows again into the central column for further coating. This process continues until the specified degree of coating is obtained.

Special features
- High spray rates for short processes
- Highly controlled product movement
- Minimal agglomeration or granulation

Process options Sizes
Description Type 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Multi-Processor™ MP Available x x x x x
Dryer T Available
Top Spray Granulator SG Available
Precision-Granulator™ PG Available x x x x x
Top Spray Coater SC Available
Precision-Coater™ PC Available x x x x x
Top Spray Granulator / Dryer Sirocco™ x Available x x x x x

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