Mixing and Granulation - GEA Pharma Systems

Built-in VersatilityPelletizingTo form granules out of powders a granulationliquid and mechanical energy is needed.Wet PelletizingThis process uses a Niro Rotary Atomiser spray toachieve excellent dispersion of binder liquid throughthe mix, and a special high-speed rotation blade formaximum movement of the product, for moreefficient pelletization. A PTFE container-liningminimises the need for ‘top and tailing’, even with themost cohesive of products. Studies have shown thatthe PTFE liner - unique to Aeromatic-Fielder - canincrease production efficiency by as much as 40%.Alternatively, an extruder may be used, similar tothose used for the manufacture of pellets. In atypical set-up all ingredients are pre-blended in acontainer after dispensing. Depending on theextruder design the liquid can be added in theextruder or mixed separately to the correctconsistency.The material produced by the extruder is now notrounded in a spheronizer (as it would be for pelletmanufacture) but transferred directly into acontinuous fluid bed where it is dried to the desiredmoisture level.Melt pelletizationThis is an exceptionally fast method of producingpellets in a single step. The active material andbinder are mixed in binder form then heated untilthe binder melts. A single batch is processedtypically in just 15-20minutes, and needs no furtherdrying.5