Sandvik Focuses On Granulation Systems At Powtech

Sandvik Process Systems has announced that it will exhibit products this year's Powtech fair. With granulation systems available for applications such as foodstuffs, subcooling melts, thixotropy, abrasive and corrosive products, Sandvik offers a wide ranges of process solutions. Working examples of two steel belt-based granulation systems - the Rotoform 3000 and Rotoform HS (high-speed) models - will provide the focus of the company's stand, booth 425 in hall 7.

The steel belt cooler is designed as an integrated system, incorporating everything needed to complete the solidification process, from Rotoform feeding, steel belt and automatic belt tracking, to release agent, discharge device and exhaust air system. Each of the nine different members of the Rotoform range has been designed to meet specific process requirements and all are based around the same basic concept. At the heart of every system is a special drop depositor, the Rotoform, which feeds droplets of the molten product onto a continuously running steel belt.

This is cooled by water from the underside, rapidly solidifying the product. The droplets are discharged in the form of dry, uniform, free flowing and dust-free pastilles - suitable for transport, storage and subsequent processing. It is a flexible process capable of handling molten products at temperatures of up to 320C and viscosities up to 50.000 cP. Depending on the system used, pastilles can be produced in diameters from 1mm up to 30mm, and the diameter can be adjusted on the machine or, in the case of more major change, by switching components.

The system is also environmental friendly. The fact that there is no contact between cooling water and the product being processed means no risk of cross contamination; while fast cooling times mean little or no exchange of gases, vapour or oxygen between chemical product and the surrounding atmosphere. The Rotoform 3000 is the standard unit and is widely used for products such as hot-melt adhesives, resins, sulphur and waxes. However, some oil and gas refineries need higher capacity solutions and it was to meet this need that the HS model was developed.

Through the use of a bigger rotating shell, reducing the centrifugal force on the droplet shape - Sandvik said it has been able to produce a system that delivers up to two times the throughput of a standard Rotoform, while maintaining control of end-product quality and delivering a consistent pastille with a regular, hemispherical shape. Sandvik can also supply conveying, storage and loading facilities, together with associated control systems. The company has invested in a network of test centres where all nine Rotoform types are available for demonstration and tests on customer products. Transportable units have also been developed to allow tests and pilot production to be carried out at customer sites.