The FSD- and IFD-GRANULATORTM for Better Product Characteristic Control

15th May 2006

The FSD- and IFD-GRANULATOR™ (patent pending) is a new system from GEA Niro to extend the flexibility of its trusted IFD™ and FSD™ spray dryers.  The new equipment allows additional liquid to be added during the spray drying process in a precisely controlled way, thus achieving different product characteristics as may be required.

The granulation system fits within an existing IFD™ or FSD™ spray dryer and can be supplied new or retro-fit to existing plants. The liquid added could be water, a liquid with the same composition as the feed, a melt or a solution containing different substances – whatever is required by the process.

By adding liquid in this way it is possible for users to reduce fines, achieve additional agglomeration/granulation, and provide better flowability and dispersability than would be possible using the traditional spray drying equipment.

GEA Niro expects the main applications for this process to be for the upgrading of existing equipment, especially where the product requirements have changed, or for new-build projects where plant footprint is critical.