Industrial perspective for the Narrowspan atomiser
Narrowspan achieves powders with uniform-sized particles, creating a largely dust free, easily wettable product with a high flowability, from a rotary atomiser wheel
Until now, powders with uniform-sized particles were achievable only in large nozzle towers. Narrowspan, however, achieves this uniformity, creating a largely dust free, easily wettable product with a high flowability, from a rotary atomiser wheel. This reduces costs and allows the use of smaller buildings to house the plant equipment.
The Narrowspan is suitable for new-build projects, or for retrofit to improve the efficiency of existing production plants.
The Narrowspan produces a low-dust product, which is important for explosion safety, personal health, and the environment.
The uniform particle size distribution means a controlled functionality of the final product.
A high bulk density can be achieved together with a free flowing product with large particle size.
The product does not break into fines, compared with agglomerates that are generally more brittle.
Narrowspan products are easier to disperse and wet in their respective solvents.
Large, uniform, free flowing particles allow easy handling and packing.
Variation in particle size from fine to coarse is possible while running the plant by controlling the rotation speed of the atomiser wheel.
Large particles can be produced in smaller diameter chambers.
Rebuilding of existing plants allows for the manufacture of added value products, with low building height and hence investment costs, compared to nozzle towers.
These features are all proven in tests and have been working in industrial applications for the last decade.
Measuring pharmaceutical nasal spray droplet size
Researchers at Valois Pharmaceuticals are using a Malvern Instruments Spraytec system to develop robust droplet size test methods for quality control and product development applications.
Researchers at Valois Pharmaceutical Division, a leader in the design and manufacture of spray delivery systems, are using a Malvern Instruments Spraytec system to develop robust droplet size test methods for quality control and product development applications. The Spraytec provides a routine method of verifying the batch-to-batch product consistency of the different nasal pump delivery systems produced by Valois, in line with recently proposed FDA guidelines. The design of new delivery systems can also be optimised.
Spray droplet data has been especially useful in the development and performance testing of Equadel, a new nasal spray pump designed to generate user-independent performance.
Spray droplet data collected using automated actuation stations illustrate how droplet size, a key variable in defining drug bio-availability, can vary with actuation profile.
Normally significant changes in pump output are observed as the actuation profile is changed.
However, data generated using the Spraytec confirms that Equadel pump system is insensitive to the applied actuation profile, as was the design intent.
This new design will therefore be more consistent, in terms of delivery performance, from patient-to-patient.
Spray characterisation, such as spray droplet size measurement, has become routine in the testing of nasal spray products and devices.
For production quality control purposes FDA guidelines recommend that a certain number of devices from each batch are tested prior to despatch.
Spraytec, a laser diffraction system, specifically designed to meet industrial requirements for the efficient measurement of spray droplet size, is proving to be highly effective in this application.
Malvern extends contract services in France
Malvern Instruments has extended its provision of contract testing services for particle characterisation in France following the conclusion of an agreement with LGC, based in Toulouse.
Malvern Instruments has extended its provision of contract testing services for particle characterisation in France following the conclusion of an agreement with the Laboratoire de Genie Chimique (LGC) based in Toulouse. The agreement covers services related to both wet and dry particle size analysis. Testing will be carried out by LGC scientists and technicians skilled in the application of advanced particle sizing techniques.
Enquiries about contract services and the initiation of projects will continue to be handled in the first instance by Malvern application specialists.
Full details can be found on the Malvern website, or by telephoning the company.
LGC is an academic research department linked to the French national research organisation CNRS and to two local Universities (Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse and Universite Paul Sabatier).
More than 230 researchers and students conduct projects covering most aspects of modern chemical engineering, including particle and interfacial engineering.
Commenting on the new relationship, Jane Bishop, Malvern Commercial Director, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome LGC as a partner as Malvern expands its provision of contract services in France.
In addition to bringing extensive experience and expertise in particle characterisation, LGC university connections will help inform our future work to ensure that we offer comprehensive testing services appropriate to the needs of both commercial and academic organisations’.
Dr Joel Bertrand, head of the LGC department said: ‘Our researchers and technicians have developed considerable expertise, over a long period, in the characterisation of dispersed media, mostly using Malvern equipment.
We believe that this agreement will help us to apply this expertise and extend it to new techniques.
SurPass electrokinetic analyser for solid surfaces
Why does an inert polymer surface become printable? When is a filter due for cleaning? The SurPass from Anton Paar offers a way to answer these questions relating to the behaviour of solid surfaces.
SurPass - SurPass Electrokinetic Analyzer 1 june 2006 Why does an inert polymer surface become printable? Is a material appropriate for artificial implants? When is a filter due for cleaning?
The SurPass from Anton Paar offers a way to answer these and other questions regarding the behaviour of solid surfaces.
This new electrokinetic analyser enables the zeta potential measurement for macroscopic solids of almost any size and shape, including samples with planar surfaces, cylindrical capillaries, and packed beds of granular or fibrous materials.
Measurements are fully automated and non-destructive.
An excellent level of reproducibility is achieved due to the high sensitivity of the measuring device.
Applications include the fields of semiconductors, biomaterials, textiles, and technical fibre research.
Beside other investigations, the SurPass allows monitoring of polymer surface modifications for printing and adhesion, or gives an insight into the effect of surfactants or dyes on textile and non-woven fabrics.
Vacuum operation capability for powder rheometer
The latest accessory for the Freeman Technology FT4 powder rheometer allows the flow properties of powders to be studied under vacuum.
The latest accessory for the Freeman Technology FT4 powder rheometer allows the flow properties of powders to be studied under vacuum. Reducing the air pressure, and hence the entrained air in the powder, can lead to dramatic changes in flowability. Since a number of unit operations in powder processing may be carried out under vacuum (including drying, filtration, pneumatic transfer and dosing) it is important to understand the behaviour of powders under these conditions.
The FT4 is a fully automated, universal powder tester that can be used to characterise powder behaviour under aerated, conditioned, consolidated and now vacuum conditions.
In this new test mode, vacuum is applied to a powder sample through the standard system aeration base.
The FT4 allows the rapid and systematic investigation of dynamic behaviour as a function of applied vacuum and other variables, such as flow rate, moisture content and composition.
By characterising a powder in a range of complementary ways, the FT4 builds a complete picture.
Multi-channel controller monitors gas detectors
With its breakthrough modular design for monitoring combustible and toxic gases, the MC600 Multi-Channel Controller is now available for Class I, Division 2, applications in hazardous environments.
With its breakthrough modular design for monitoring combustible and toxic gases, the MC600 Multi-Channel Controller from General Monitors is now available for Class I, Division 2, applications in hazardous environments. Featuring a microprocessor-based design, the modular MC600 Multi-Channel Controller offers reliability, flexibility and value-added economy in gas detection systems. The six-channel MC600 provides continuous gas monitoring when equipped with General Monitors gas sensors/transmitters and is designed to protect people, equipment and facilities in hazardous environments.
The MC600 Controller is designed with a rugged, corrosion and weather-resistant, NEMA Type 4X housing that is configured with mounting brackets.
An optional onboard 115/230 VAC power supply is also available and provides Class I, Division 2 classification.
Signal conditioning boards for H2S/hydrocarbon sensors and a 4-20mA interface for intelligent detectors are easily installed or removed from plug-in slots.
The MC600 is compatible with any General Monitors hydrocarbon and H2S sensors and intelligent transmitters, as well as their infrared detectors and TS-Series toxic gas detectors.
It is a scaleable solution that can be used as either a local gas detection system or networked to provide a large plant-wide distributed safety system.
Designed with dual redundant Modbus communications, the MC600 provides complete status and control capability.
Due to its modular design, the MC600 offers easy installation, a long life span, and an attractive return-on-investment.
Typical applications include chemical and petrochemical plants, compressor stations, gas processing, pulp and paper mills, refineries, steel, utilities and wastewater.
The MC600 comes pre-configured from the factory, saving installation time with minimum set-up required.
Removable terminal blocks allow for easy installation and wiring.
A front panel user interface includes six independent LCD channel displays and keypad for set-up, calibration and gas reading functions as well as ready, alarm and fault indicators.
Six user-configurable 8-amp relays with selectable zoning and voting are included.
The MC600 features six back-lit LCD display modules that each have two lines, with eight characters available per line.
Large multi-coloured LED Ready, Alarm, Warning and Fault indicators (that are easy to read in daylight) supplement the LCD digital displays, and keypad controls are provided for setup, calibration and gas reading functions, and self-test.
The MC600 six auxiliary 8-Amp relays are user-configurable to activate external devices such as horns or beacons on any of the six channels, whether for alarm or warning setpoints.
They feature independent user-configurable options for Zoning, Warn, Alarm Lo or Alarm Hi activation set points, energised/de-energised, latching/non-latching and timed delay.
Gow Mac Instrument sells Irish operation
Gow-Mac, a leading manufacturer of high performance analytical instruments, announces that it has completed the sale of the assets of Gow-Mac Instrument Co (Ireland) to a non-disclosed Irish interest.
Gow-Mac Instrument Co, a leading manufacturer of high performance analytical instruments, has announced that it has completed the sale of the assets of Gow-Mac Instrument Co (Ireland) to a non-disclosed Irish interest. The board of directors of each company has approved the transaction. Mr Jeffrey Lawson, President and CEO of Gow-Mac Instrument Co states this change will enable Gow-Mac to fulfill and be more responsive to the rapidly changing analytical technology demands of their customers.
Gow-Mac now becomes a more fully integrated company by conducting all its product development, manufacturing, distribution, and marketing from the corporate headquarters in the USA.
Gow-Mac has expanded its global support in the form of additional sales facilities, most notably the Gow-Mac Instrument Co Taiwan office.
Gow-Mac Instrument Co is a leading manufacturer of gas chromatographs, on-line gas analysers and fully integrated ‘Packaged Laboratories’ for PAT and process monitoring, research, and trace gas analysis fulfilling the requirements of standard test methodologies - ASTM, GPA etc.
FT-IR Spectrometer specification tool on-line
Thermo Electron has launched a new interactive web tool to allow online specification by prospective customers of FT-IR Spectrometers to their specific application requirements prior to purchasing.
Thermo Electron Corporation, world leader in analytical instrumentation, announces the availability of a new state-of-the-art interactive web tool that allows current and prospective customers to build an FT-IR spectrometer to their specific application requirements prior to purchasing. This web tool is the first of its kind in the industry. Designed for scientists working in pharmaceutical, chemical, QA/QC, forensics, research and academic laboratories, this build-your-own web tool will be unveiled at the Thermo Booth at the 232nd National Meeting and Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS), at the Moscone Center, San Francisco, on 10-14 September 2006 and is accessible via the website.
Responding to the increasing workloads of scientists, the Thermo versatile web tool saves time by allowing users to interchange a variety of parts quickly and easily, including internal spectrometer components and software options as well as accessories such as ATR, Raman and infrared microscopes.
Users are able to complete around 80% of the Nicolet 6700 FT-IR instrument specification on-line, with the option of e-mailing their selections to their local salesperson for further clarification and/or to request a quote.
For more information about the Thermo new interactive web tool, please visit Thermo at Booth 300-307 at the ACS National Meeting and Exposition.
For cleanrooms, you can count on Fluke
Even the minutest piece of contamination ignored in the manufacture of payloads destined for space can result in eventual degradation of performance or even circuit failures and the loss of a mission.
Even the very minutest piece of contamination ignored during the manufacture of payloads destined for space can result in eventual degradation of performance or even circuit failures and the possible loss of a mission. So EADS Astrium, part of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, chose the accurate monitoring and reporting capabilities of the latest handheld Fluke 983 Particle Counter for use in its revamped cleanroom at Portsmouth, where it designs, manufactures, assembles and tests the essential electronic payloads which make up the heart of satellites and space probes. The Fluke 983 stores up to 5000 sampling results, which can be downloaded later to a PC for analysis and reporting.
Chris Jeffery, Process Control Manager at EADS Astrium, explained, ‘The size and portability of the Fluke 983 means we can sample air quality at any location, for example, up high near air conditioning vents to check the filtration of the incoming air, at locations hidden behind equipment and benches, and within laminar flow cabinets.
It is intuitive to use: readings are displayed on the LCD screen.
The software provided enables the data to be downloaded to a PC back in my office, so I can easily import it into a spreadsheet for analysis and regular reporting to meet European Space Agency requirements.
And by storing the information on a database, it is easy to interrogate later for purposes of traceability and statistical process control’.
Jonathan Roe, Manufacturing Engineer at EADS Astrium, explained the decision to purchase Fluke 983 Particle Counters for the cleanrooms on the site.
‘Originally we used a single trolley-based particle counting system but it had many drawbacks,’ he said: ‘Its lack of mobility meant it was difficult to monitor exact locations and its output of data was all in printed form.
We had to read the data, then manually enter it into a PC for reporting purposes.
We realised the new handheld Fluke 983 could be the ideal solution.
In trials it proved just that’.
The Fluke 983 stores sampling results, based on time, a set number of counts, or with a programmable delay.
Each time, it records date, time, counts, relative humidity, temperature, sample volumes, any alarm signals, and a location label.
The measurements are classified in particle size distribution steps between 0.3micron and 10.microns in diameter.
Renewable benefits on landfills for Summerleaze
Summerleaze Re-Generation are successfully utilising instrumentation made by Gas Data to continuously monitor the gases produced by the Poplars landfill in Cannock.
Summerleaze Re-Generation, who produce over 40MW of valuable renewable energy from 20 landfill sites, are successfully utilising instrumentation made by Gas Data to continuously monitor gases at the Poplars landfill in Cannock. The monitoring by the powerful Gas Data analysers of parameters such as methane, oxygen, carbon dioxide and potentially engine-damaging hydrogen sulphide, ensure that Summerleaze Re-Generation comply with IPPC (EU Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) regulations. In addition, the monitoring of gas flow demonstrates to the Environment Agency that crucially, just the right amount of gas is being extracted.
Data can be viewed on site, on the road, at the office, or from anywhere in the world.
Mike Williams, Projects Manager for Summerleaze Re-Generation, commented: ‘By using the Gas Data monitoring system, we benefit from optimum planning and control.
We also benefit from the fact that the very time consuming slog of manually gathering and inputting data has been removed’.
Operating to comply with DSEAR (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres) as well as ATEX requirements, (the directive for Equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres) and offering more measuring parameters and more channels than other analysers, Gas Data instrumentation is designed with expansion in mind, enabling companies to prove in the long term that land is safe for future, post-landfill use.