Freeze granulation can be utilized on lab scale as well on production scale with equality in granule properties and high yield for many applications. Besides large quantities also very small experimental batches (50-100 ml slip) can easily be processed. The equipment is easy to clean, enabling use of water insoluble polymers (latexes) as binder and running of several different batches during one day. Water is the preferred liquid medium but it is also possible to use and recycle organic solvents (freeze point > -25°C).
PowderPro AB provides equipment for Freeze Granulation in two versions, LS-2 (see photo) and LS-6. The maximum granulation capacity of LS-2 is 2 litres slurry per hour and for LS-6 6 litres slurry per hours that typically correspond to ca 2 and 6 kg dry powder respectively.
LS-2 and LS-6 consists of a slip container with a stirrer, a pump for the slip, a spray nozzle, a regulator for compressed air and an insulated chamber for spraying and granule collection. Technical Specification LS-2
Besides the granulator, a freeze dryer (see photo of Lyovac GT2 below) with sufficient capacity is required and can be provided. Technical transfer including set-up of equipment and training of personnel is recommended and offered upon request.
A Freeze Granulator is a kind of spray dryer that produces homogeneous granules, see photo below showing a cross section of a granule with no defects; no pores, no inhomogeneities like agglomerates or migration of fines or binders.
Continuous granulation of powders and chemicals by Freeze Granulation. At PowderPro we are currently developing a new production granulator for continous granulation of powders and chemicals with a capacity of 50-100 kg/shift.
By applying Freeze Granulation on your agglomerated nanoparticles or submicron powders you will be able to deagglomerate them forming a homogeneous well-dispersed particles or mixture of particles.
For optimal powder compaction in for ex uniaxial die pressing of metal or ceramic powders, it is important to have homogeneous granules where the binder and fine particles are well distributed in each granule. By using Freeze Granulation you can achieve this.
Yes, with Freeze Granulation it’s possible to make spherical, homogeneous and dust-free granules with optimal flowability which is critical for automatic uniaxial pressing of for ex ceramics and metal powders.
You can expect spherical and homogenous granules of powders in terms of distribution of particle size and other possible additives you want to use. The granules with a size distribution in the range of 50-300 microns will have weak inter particle bonding making them easy to break down in pressing or re-disperse into another formulation. Very much depend upon how you intend to process the powder and depending on that, adaptation can be made. If you tell us more we can further discuss the opportunities.
Spherical granules by freeze granulationCross section of homogeneous ganule
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Freeze Granulation for optimal granule properties compared with spray drying. Homogeneous granules with no void formation, no migration of fine particles or binders, and no formation of hard dry shell.
