Tackling Particle Size Reduction Challenges

Particle size reduction can present challenges to processors in industries such as rubber, plastics, food, pharmaceuticals, and others, particularly when working with heat-sensitive and tough-to-mill materials. Air Products has created a microsite aimed at helping processors overcome these challenges and optimize their overall operation.

For more than 40 years, Air Products engineers have helped processors identify the best solution for a variety applications, including nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, pigments, plastics, powder, spices, and thermoplastic elastomers and waxes.
 
The new cryogenic grinding microsite provides technical information about PolarFit cryogenic size reduction solutions – which use liquid nitrogen to cool down feed material prior to and/or during milling — and includes illustrations that show the size reduction system configurations offered by the company. The microsite also contains some short videos that explain how exposing material to liquid nitrogen can help prevent melting or decomposition, or achieve embrittlement, resulting in a higher yield of particles in the desired target range, more uniform particle size distribution, higher production rates, improved product quality, and enhanced process safety due to the nitrogen inertness.
 
The range of offerings available from Air Products includes turnkey cryogenic grinding systems, as well as individual components to retrofit an existing process; liquid nitrogen supply, which is available in a variety of delivery options to economically meet small- to large-volume requirements; and value-added services, such as technical assessments/improvements of existing milling systems and optimization of liquid nitrogen use. Air Products also has trial facilities located in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, where customers can test their products to determine the potential benefits of using cryogenics in their grinding processes.
 
For related articles, news, and equipment reviews, visit our Size Reduction Equipment Zone