Typically, bulk powder pharmaceutical powders are milled during processing to achieve a required particle size. For instance, bulk powders or excipients such as lactose, sucrose, glucose, dextrose and sorbitol are frequently used to accurately dose potent ingredients and often require milling.
Bulk powders frequently clump together or agglomerate during transportation and storage, and therefore in the majority of applications – including those involving granulated powders – the material must be milled before going through further downstream processes such as blending and compression to increase flowability. This process of de-agglomeration can prove to be time consuming and result in a production bottleneck. Resolving this de-lumping issue to enable a high throughput will significantly increase system efficiency.
Conical Mill (Uni-Mill) for Bulk Powder Processing
A conical mill / grinder is a quick and reliable solution to re-powderise bulk powder, creating a uniform and lump-free consistency. The excipients are reduced to a specific particle size by compressing and shearing the particles between the impeller and the surface of the screen.
The Uni-Mill under-driven models are designed with an optimal, spacer-less gap (to avoid metal-to-metal contact) which enables fast and easy tooling changes and ensures the material is processed efficiently, using the closest possible gap, every time. The Uni-Mill series offers full scalability from laboratory to pilot to production.
Other benefits of the under-driven conical mill includes a high throughput (due to the in-line inlet and outlet), a compact and space-saving design, and an improved sanitary construction (compared to over-driven conical mills).
Features:
> Stainless steel construction (with 316L contact parts)
> All seals FDA compliant (silicone, PTFE etc.)
> No metal-to-metal contact
> Easy-clean, GMP design (with optional features such as detachable millhead for autoclave or CIP/WIP)
> ATEX (ex-proof) versions available
View our Conical Mills (Under-Driven) product page for more information.
Centrifugal Sifter (Kwik-Sift) For Bulk Powder Processing
The Hanningfield Kwik-Sift offers fast and effective powder screening, helping to guarantee material integrity though the capture of alien objects such as nuts, bolts, washers, zip ties etc. The rotating mesh drum creates a centrifugal screening action, with powder passing through the mesh while retaining those objects larger than the hole aperture. For achieving varying grades of separation, numerous mesh sizes are available to meet different application requirements.
The Kwik-Sift can also quickly and efficiently break down agglomerated material with the use of a spoiler arm. The unit can incorporate a single or dual spoiler arm arrangement and simply clamps onto the existing chute via tri-clover.
Features & Benefits
> Stainless steel construction (with 316L contact parts)
> All seals FDA compliant (silicone, PTFE etc)
> Various drum mesh sizes are available to achieve different grades of separation
> Suitable for delumping and deagglomeration of friable materials
> Can be mounted in-line for feeding downstream process (gravity feed or transfer)
> Designed for quick and easy dismantling for cleaning and to replace screens, which is a key factor for multi-product use.
IBC Bin Blender (Uni-Blend) For Bulk Powder Processing
Once the bulk powder has gone through the deagglomeration and sifting processes, it can then be blended. ‘Blending-in-the-bin’ is considered the most efficient method of tumbling bulk solids, such as granules and powders during pharmaceutical manufacturing
Hanningfield Bin Blenders are designed for the gentle tumbling of IBCs and drums, helping to create these uniform batches. The blender is available in various sizes, meaning we have a solution for every batch size, from small volumes (5L) up to large production runs (2000L).
Features & Benefits
> Stainless steel construction for use in sanitary applications
> Suitable for various container sizes up to 2000L
> Can be supplied as pedestal (stand-alone), through-the-wall or post hoist mounted
> Charging and discharging can be undertaken offline, minimising downtime
> For full compliance, controls can be supplied to meet 21 CFR Part 11
Get in Touch
If you would like to speak to one of our experts regarding our Bulk Powder Processing Equipment or you would like a quote for one of our products, send us a message using our Contact Form or call us on +44 (0)1702 549 777.
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