The unique modular concept of the NICA™ Pelletizing System facilitates optimized solutions to meet process needs exactly. mixing / granulation, extrusion and spheronization modules are combined to create a complete integrated pellet production plant, or selected individually to suit specific requirements.

Modules can be operated in either batch or continuous mode, for maximum flexibility of operation, and can be used stand-alone or integrated with other up- or down-stream equipment such as fluid bed processing systems. Ideal for both product development and full-scale production applications, process scale-up of the NICA™ Pelletizing System is easy – it’s simply a factor of processing time.

We offer a complete engineering service from systems design to process integration and optimization.

Plant design

  • Turnkey pellet production facility
  • System integration
  • Contained processing - automatic charging, discharging and materialshandling
  • Customized CIP systems

Controls options

  • Graphical MIMIC operator interface
  • On-line monitoring and trending
  • Recipe handling
  • Batch management / bar coding
  • CIM integration

Validation services

  • Full IQ / OQ documentation
  • Site qualification / validation support
  • Technical support and maintenance
  • Training

The process modules

NICA™ Mixing and Granulation
The NICA™ Granulator instantly mixes and granulates dry powder ingredients in a continuous process. Pre-blended powders are dispersed on a high-speed wheel and mixed with an atomized granulating fluid. Less than 100g of product is in the mixing stream at anyone time, so scale-up depends only onprocess time. The same machine can produce a few kilograms on a laboratory scale or volume production up to 360kg/hr. The unique compact design ensures that powder hold-up is minimal and cleaning is quick and easy. Discharge may be direct into the NICA™ Extruder.

The NICA™ Granulator can also be used for dispersing and coating of powders and can be set up to discharge directly into a batch or continuous fluid bed dryer.

  • Instant processing
  • Contained operation
  • Simple, time-dependant scale-up
  • Small foot-print
  • Easy to clean

Capacities

Mixer / Granulator M6
Typical Through-put 2-6kg/min. (wet mass)

NICA™ Extrusion
Available in two sizes NICA™ E140 and NICA™ E220
The NICA™Extruder is based on unique low-shear technology designed to minimise work input and temperature rise. It is ideal for sensitive products which could be damaged by more intensive systems. A wide range of extrusion screen sizes and configurations are offered, for optimization of pellet diameter, surface quality and size distribution.Used for both batch and continuous production, the NICA™ Extruder has no stagnant areas, and no significant product hold-up. A compact design eases installation and cleaning. With a simple reconfiguration of the extruder, formulations that require a high degree of work input can be processed.

  • Efficient low-shear technology
  • Wide choice of extrusion screens
  • Gentle on product
  • Small foot-print
  • Easy to clean

Capacities

Extruder E140 E220
Typical Through-put 0.5-2kg/min. 2-8kg/min.

NICA™ Spheronization
Available in three sizes NICA™ S320, NICA™ S450 and NICA™ S700
The NICA™ Spheronizer features a smooth-edged, close-fitting friction wheel for good sphericity of pellets and a tight pellet size distribution. This patented design eliminates problems of edge-milling and undesirable fines common with traditional technology. Optimization of the process is achieved by choice of cycle time, wheel speed, product loading, friction pattern and regulation of air-flow past the wheel periphery. The NICA™ Spheronizer is fed directly by the NICA™ Extruder. For high volume applications, two batch spheronizers may be fed by a single continuous extruder.

  • Good pellet sphericity
  • Produces no fines
  • Versatile system
  • Easy to operate
  • Easy to clean

Capacities

Spheronizer S320 S450 S700
Typical Capacity 0.2-1.0kg 0.4-2.0kg 2-10kg

Integrated NICA™ System
Continuous System for the production of pellets
Consists of Mixer, Extruder and Spheronizer - all modules can be used independently or linked together. Integration with up- and downstream equipment.

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