The unit is small enough to sit on a tabletop and can handle product drying, top spray granulating and coating in volumes ranging from 200ml to 2 litres, making it suitable for use in the production of pharmaceuticals.
In the dryer compartment, air is filtered and heated prior to passing through the distributor plate, fluidising the product and absorbing moisture. The product is completely contained within the unit through the use of filters, says NPS. In the granulator, a binding agent is sprayed onto the fluidised product for controlled agglomeration. The formed agglomerates are subsequently dried. Finally, in the coating unit liquid is sprayed onto the product from below to ensure uniform coating. An attachment for top spray coating is also available.
NPS says the main features of the system are its easy manoeuvrability, compatibility with standard laboratory utilities, and ease of operation. It also boasts a special air distributor plate for controlled product movement and a continuously operating blow-back filter cleaning system
Optional additions to the system include instrumentation for measuring air flow, product and filter pressure drop, two-fluid nozzle for atomising liquids, a heatable nozzle for atomising melts, a selection of materials for product filter, a device for product sampling and a colour screen data-recorder and printer.