An exciting and compelling live demonstration of the control that can be achieved with real-time analysis was one of the highlights of a joint presentation by Malvern Instruments and Ferrari Granulati at this year’s Powtech (30 Sep to 2 Oct 2008, Nϋrnberg, Germany). Impressed audiences watched as process changes at the Ferrari Granulati plant in Verona, Italy, were made directly from the stage. An Insitec analyzer, installed on-line at the Ferrari Granulati plant instantaneously tracked the impact of changes on particle size, a defining product performance variable.
Ferrari Granulati is a leading supplier of marble granulates and powders. The company uses both in- and on-line particle size analyzers from the Malvern range to produce white marble powders of unsurpassed quality for use in the paper, plastics and construction industries. Real-time data allow very tight control of particle size distribution and full process optimization. Exceptional product quality is achieved at a cost that enables the company to compete extremely effectively in the global marketplace.
Attendees at the presentation were able to observe two separate analyzers. The Insitec particle size analyzer is installed at the exit of a milling circuit that uses a novel vertical roller mill to reduce average particle size to between three and eight microns. During the talk the classifier speed of this circuit was varied. The effect on particle size was obvious in just minutes thanks to the extremely fast response time of this exceptionally well-tuned process. Real-time particle size monitoring using a Parsum probe was also demonstrated. This analyser is used to optimise a humidity-sensitive sieving process. Full process details clearly illustrated the economic benefits gained in each case.
A downloadable article detailing the work at Ferrari Granulati is available at http://www.malvern.com/common/downloads/campaign/MRK1084-01.pdf
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