Malvern Continuous Particle Size Analyzers Give Ferrari Granulati a Competitive Edge


13 August 2008; Malvern, UK: Ferrari Granulati (Verona, Italy), a leading supplier of marble granulates and powders, is using a number of different real-time particle size analyzers from the Malvern Instruments range to achieve exceptional product quality at competitive variable cost. With continuous measurement the company has developed automated, innovative processing solutions that minimize energy use. Tight control of particle size produces fine powders tailored to applications in the paper, plastics and building industries.

Micronized calcium carbonate with average particle size in the range 3 - 8 microns is produced in a novel STM vertical roller mill, which has a range of unique features. The product is continuously monitored using an Insitec on-line particle size analyzer from Malvern. This provided essential data for design, commissioning and optimization. The mill is fully automated and extremely responsive, allowing the company to produce to order. There is no waste or re-work and energy consumption is around half that of a conventional ball mill.

"Development of the mill was a major investment for us in terms of both time and money," remarks Alberto Ferrari, Production Manager, Ferrari Granulati. "We recognized from the start that to truly optimize design and operation we would need continuous particle size measurement, and the Insitec seemed the ideal choice. We particularly liked the fact that it was a robust process instrument rather than a modified lab analyzer. The Insitec is consistently reliable and problem-free and has provided us with the data needed to ensure the success of this project."

A Parsum in-line probe, also supplied by Malvern, is used upstream to control the amount of fines in a coarser, 100 - 400 micron material produced by sieving. An automated control loop varies feed to the sieve stack to keep the level of fines at an acceptable level. This loop maintains product specification during fluctuations in humidity, which have a dramatic impact on process performance. Ferrari Granulati is therefore able to avoid pre-drying the feed, saving between 10 to 15% of the production cost. Automated control also maximises unit throughput. The ability to compensate for the effects of humidity fluctuations has led to a rise in throughput of between 20 and 30% during the most humid winter months. www.malvern.com

About Malvern Instruments

Malvern Instruments provides a range of complementary materials characterization tools that deliver inter-related measurements reflecting the complexities of particulates and disperse systems, nanomaterials and macromolecules. Analytical instruments from Malvern are used in the characterization of a wide variety of materials, from industrial bulk powders to the latest nanomaterials and delicate macromolecules. A broad portfolio of innovative technologies is combined with intelligent, user-friendly software. These systems deliver industrially relevant data enabling our customers to make the connection between micro (such as particle size) and macro (bulk) material properties (rheology) and chemical composition (chemical imaging).

Particle size distribution, particle shape information, zeta potential, molecular weight, chemical composition, and bulk materials properties can all be determined with instruments from the Malvern range. The company's laboratory, at-line, on-line and in-line solutions are proven in sectors as diverse as cement production and pharmaceutical drug discovery.

Headquartered in Malvern, UK, Malvern Instruments has subsidiary organizations in all major European markets, North America, China, Korea and Japan, a joint venture in India, a global distributor network and applications laboratories around the world. www.malvern.com

For press information, please contact:
Trish Appleton
Kapler Communications
Knowledge Centre
Wyboston Lakes
Great North Road
Wyboston
Bedfordshire
MK44 3BY, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1480 479280;
Fax: +44 (0)1480 470343
trish@kapleronline.com

USA contact:
Marisa Fraser
Malvern Instruments Inc.
117 Flanders Road
Westborough
MA 01581-1042 USA
Tel: +1 508 768 6400
Fax: +1 508 768 6403
marisa.fraser@malvern.com

Please send sales enquiries to:
Alison Vines
Malvern Instruments Ltd
Enigma Business Park
Grovewood Road
Malvern
Worcestershire
WR14 1XZ UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1684 892456;
Fax: +44 (0) 1684 892789
salesinfo@malvern.com

Sent by:
Luke Newman,
Kapler Communications
Our Ref: MAL/JOB/1565
luke@kapleronline.com
Tel: +44 (0) 1480 479280

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