Many materials in the food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, from raw materials, additives and intermediates through to manufactured products, are supplied as relatively free-flowing powders suitable for the manufacturing process or final application.
These materials are often stored for extended periods, during which time some powders will gain strength due to particle/particle interactions. This is generally referred to as ‘caking’ and can significantly limit the ability of a powder to pass through the process train without interruption and can detrimentally impact product quality.
Caking occurs through one or more mechanisms – typically, mechanical, chemical and thermal – with the migration and absorption of water often the most influential. Limiting caking can be achieved by managing environmental conditions to keep materials in an optimal state; by adjusting the operational parameters (typically limiting the time the material is stationary) or by modifying the product formulation.
Through testing and understanding the behaviour of each material, it becomes possible to assess and minimize the risk of caking at different points in the process, to maximize and maintain product quality.
Powder testing results can inform, for example, decisions about how often the material needs to be tumbled or agitated to keep it in a fit state for subsequent processing, and whether it can maintain its quality if packed in bags, kegs, bulk containers or tankers.
Regardless of the mechanism, however, determining the precise conditions which minimise the potential for caking requires a comprehensive understanding of the changes in flow properties that occur as a consequence.
Click the link to read or download “Quantifying Powder Caking using the FT4 Powder Rheometer”.
Freeman Technology
- +44 (0)1684 851 551
- info@freemantech.co.uk
- https://www.freemantech.co.uk
- 1 Miller Court Severn Drive Tewkesbury Gloucestershire GL20 8DN GB
About us
Freeman Technology specialises in systems for measuring the flow properties of powders and has nearly 20 years' experience in powder flow and powder characterisation.
The company invests significantly in R&D and applications development, and provides detailed know-how to support its range of products. Expert teams guide and support users around the world in addressing their individual powder challenges, focusing on delivering the most relevant information for the process. The result is world-leading solutions for understanding powder behaviour - in development, formulation, scale-up, processing, quality control, or anywhere that powders have a role.
Freeman Technology’s solutions include the FT4 Powder Rheometer®, a uniquely universal powder tester, and the Uniaxial Powder Tester, a complementary tool for quick and robust powder assessment. Systems are installed around the world in the chemical, pharmaceutical, toners, foods, powder coatings, metals, ceramics, cosmetics, and many other industries. They deliver data that maximise process and product understanding, accelerating R&D and formulation towards successful commercialisation, and supporting the long term optimisation of powder processes.
Founded in 1989 as a developer of automated testing systems for materials characterisation, the company has focused exclusively on powders since the late 1990s and in 2018 became part of Micromeritics Instrument Corporation. The company’s R&D, manufacturing and commercial headquarters are in Gloucestershire, UK, with operations and distribution partners in key global territories. In 2007 the company received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation and in 2012 the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.
Where we supply to
UK Ireland, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, North America
Industries we supply to
Chemicals, Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical Cosmetics Toiletries
