FT4 Powder Tester to be highlighted at ACHEMA

Welland, UK -- At ACHEMA 2009 (May 11–15; Frankfurt, Germany) Freeman Technology will highlight the company’s complete offering for powder processors. Freeman’s FT4 powder tester, backed by a unique process-focused approach to powder characterization, delivers the critical insight into powder behavior that companies need in order to understand their powders, achieve compatibility between powder and plant, and enable process optimization.

Managing director Reg Freeman is a firm believer that, “When it comes to powders, new technology for understanding powder behavior, combined with hard-earned processing experience, can deliver step changes in powder processing efficiency. Consistent, efficient operation requires powder properties to be those which suit the processing step and understanding why some powders process well while others do not is critical.”

The FT4 performs a range of methodologies, measuring shear, bulk and dynamic properties in a short time, using relatively small amounts of material. Freeman’s approach to interpreting the data makes extensive use of the company’s know-how, as well as the processor’s own experience. The results often indicate why on a particular production line some powders are ‘easy’ to process and others are not. This knowledge is the foundation of efficient processing and informs the development of materials that will process well, with the required performance characteristics.

In addition, it is possible to define, in terms of easily measurable parameters, the characteristics of materials that will be optimal for a given piece of plant - a hopper or die filling system, for example. Developing formulations that meet this specification ensures compatibility between the plant and powder, building quality into the manufacturing process from the outset.

ACHEMA 2009 Web site: http://www.achema.de/ 

Source: http://www.freemantech.co.uk/

CEMA : Equipment sales increase 7% in January 09

Naples, FL -- The Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association reported that its January 2009 Booked Orders Index was 94 up 6 points or an increase of 7% from December 2008's Index of 88 (1990=100). The January 2009 Index represents a decrease of 34% from the January 2008 Index of 142.

January Booked Orders Indexes were 158 for Bulk Handling Equipment* and 74 for Unit Handling Equipment*(1990=100).

The Twelve-Month Index for Booked Orders was 124 in January. Index in January represents a decrease of 2% from December 2008's Twelve-Month Index of 127.

The CEMA Billed Sales (shipments) Index was 108 in January. Index in January is down 29 points or 21% from December 2008's Index of 137. The January 2009 Index represents a decrease of 20% from the January 2008 Index of 135.

January Billed Sales Indexes were 178 for Bulk Handling Equipment* and 95 for Unit Handling Equipment*(1990=100).

The Twelve-Month Index for Billed Sales was 142 in January. Index in January represents a decrease of 1% from December 2008's Twelve-Month Index of 144.

*Since Bulk Handling Systems booked and billed sales are reported quarterly and are averaged back to the two preceding months, the booked and billed indexes for non-quarter ending months for Bulk Handling Equipment and Category X, total of all categories, are adjusted quarterly.

Source: http://www.cemanet.org/

In-Line Monitoring of Blending Processes

Whitby, Ontario -- In September 2004, the US FDA released a draft guidance that introduced Process Analytical Technology (PAT) to the pharma industry. PAT is a science-based approach to the improvement of manufacturing efficiency and product quality. PAT tools perform real-time, on-line measurements of evolving quality parameters to ensure optimal processing conditions are maintained throughout the manufacturing process.

PAT tools provide the means to gain new understanding and knowledge of the process critical control points and facilitate better control of process variation further upstream. The variability of inputs to the process may still exist, but knowledge of their existence and impact allows the process to be accommodating to these differences, resulting in a more consistent end product. This increase in process understanding and process control through use of real time data collection is a cornerstone of the Quality by Design (QBD) initiatives revolutionizing pharmaceutical development and manufacturing today.

In-line monitoring

Powders are normally blended together to produce pharma products and the consistency of those powders is critical to the quality and the efficacy of that product. Typically a blender is charged with individual components which are blended for a fixed period of time and speed. A fixed blending process does not take into account the variability of the components and this can lead to variation in the product. Despite the fact that a lot of effort has been committed to reduce the lot-to-lot variability of the components, the industry still faces the problem that slight variations in the chemical or physical properties of these components can have a huge impact on the final product.

Component variation could be attributed to: environmental conditions, humidity, feedstock grade, and particle size distribution. Presently blending is validated as a fixed process (e.g. blend for 10 minutes). But fixed processing conditions do nothing to dampen or buffer the influence of incoming variability.

In-line monitoring of a blending process uses a different approach. Real time measurements and feedback provide a ‘process check’ operation within the actual unit operation being performed. The knowledge gained during the process does not in itself improve the incoming variability, but by modifying a process in response to measured fluctuations of incoming materials, it is possible to achieve processing, and hence, product consistency...

Click here to read there full story

Source:  http://www.ctherm.com/

New Hosokawa "UMP" Universal Mikro Pulverizer

Summit, NJ -- Hosokawa Micron Powder Systems recently introduced the Universal Mikro® Pulverizer (UMP). From the inventors of the original high speed pulverizer comes a new line of pharmaceutical impact mills that provide the next level of performance and versatility to the Industry.

This new line of mills offers the latest milling technology, coupled with a new ergonomic design and easy clean features. Now one mill can provide finished materials ranging from coarse granulations to ultra-fine particle size distributions.

The results come from the unique capability to inter-change a variety of internal grinding elements coupled with a rotor tip speed that can be varied from 40 m/s to 160 m/s. The result is an extremely flexible machine to process a wide range of API’s and excipients.

There are three model sizes available to handle capacities for a few kg/hr to several hundred kg/hr. The new series consists of models UPM-B, UPM-1 and UPM-2. Hosokawa offers these mill systems in a number of configurations that meet specific application requirements, including closed loop inert processing, 150 psi high pressure systems and high containment options to provide nanogram level containment and operator protection.

The UMP has been designed to replace the Bantam as a versatile size reduction apparatus with different configurations and model sizes available. Since the introduction just over a year ago, 20 units have been delivered with extremely positive feedback.

The UMP features a fabricated housing with a hinged door and tri-clamp closure mechanism. It features interchangeable grinding mechanisms giving the end user unlimited ability to change particle size and distribution. The unit can be fitted with a knife type rotor to provide granular products. Mikro impact hammer and screen assembly can be substituted to make finer materials down of 50 microns. The pin discs and a new bearing housing design can run at a top speed of 28,000 rpm to produce products down to the 25 microns.

Clearly, the new UMP Pulverizer series for Food, Pharmaceutical and Chemical applications offers the industry a whole new concept in size reduction equipment.

Hosokawa Micron Powder Systems
10 Chatham Road
Summit, New Jersey 07901
Telephone: 908-277-9205
Website: http://www.hmicronpowder.com/

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Mr. Shah needs a container loading system for S-PVC:

We have 3 product silos. The capacity of two silos are 100 MT each and of 3rd silo is 500 MT. We are planning to install a "Container Loading System for S- PVC Powder". It should be preferably a mobile unit having capacity of 30 or 40 MT/hr.

Please let me who are the suppliers of such unit and their contact address? They should have experience of supplying equipment/systems handling S-PVC powder.

Currently we are having pneumatic conveying system transferring S-PVC from check silos to product silos. The conveying system capacity is 30 MT/hr. Can I modify this conveying system to load the container and hook up a balancing line from container to silo, already having bag filters for handling air vents from container?

Please advise and comment, what is the best technical and economical approach to install a "Container Loading system for S-PVC Powder?
  (to post reply, click here)

Thank you,
Hitesh Shah
PETRONAS
hiteshshah@petronas.com.my

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Lead Designer, Taggart Global - Pittsburgh, PA

About Taggart: Taggart Global, LLC is an international design, engineering and construction company with expertise in turnkey design, supply, construction and commissioning of coal processing plants and material handling systems. Taggart provides a full range of design, engineering, project management, construction and contract operation services to the worldwide mining and power generation sectors.

Position: Direct an engineering design team in development projects throughout the entire cycle from initial concept through successful completion. To finish assigned engineering projects in accordance with customer specifications and within schedule and budget limitations.

•Interfaces with and support, as required, the different divisions in all project phases, making detailed technical presentations to customers, acting as internal consultants to peers in the Engineering Department.
•May be assigned full technical responsibility for a contract, including the correctness and adherence to specification for all designs.
•Participates in the Taggart Global LLC technology development effort, related to new technologies, R&D, etc, assimilating and maintaining expertise in the current technology.
•Applies diversified knowledge of engineering principles and practices in broad area assignments and related design fields.
•Designs equipment and systems that perform to specifications and meet applicable safety codes.
•Supervises, coordinates and reviews the work of a small staff of engineers and designers.
•Provides engineering support to customers, suppliers, field personnel and others in the Company, as directed by Supervisor.

Skills/Experience Required
*Minimum 6 years of experience in Design Engineering
*Must be proficient with AutoCad or Inventor
*Registration as a licensed Professional Engineer desired
*BS or MS degree in Engineering preferable Mechanical Engineering
*Formal CAD training

Please visit www.taggl.com to submit a resume.

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Assessing Loads on Silos and other Bulk Storage Structures:  Research Applied to Practice
by Geoffrey E. Blight
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"Spider Diagrams" :
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This weeks photo is of a Coperion-supplied materials handling and logistics system for one of the largest petrochemical complexes in the Middle East. The system is designed for an annual production capacity of 1.4 million tons of polyethylene and polypropylene.

Photo courtesy of Coperion GmbH.

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