German mixing and dispersion technology company, Ystral, has expanded its solution portfolio with the introduction of Coflow, a continuously operating powder wetting and dispersing machine.
With its use aimed at companies producing goods in large volumes, the Ystral Coflow is a solution for pre-products for dough production, milk and milk substitute products, edible collagen shells, mayonnaise or dressings, amongst others.
Ystral head of R&D and Coflow project manager, Raoul Pila Nunninger, said that compared to a classic batch process in the vessel, the Ystral Coflow enables fabrication with a significantly smaller system footprint, faster lead times, improved OEE values and a higher degree of automation, while the cleaning of such a system is much easier due to the smaller product wetted surface.
“Furthermore, the machine is characterised by a lower energy requirement – particularly for lower viscosities, the Coflow only has low power consumption,” said Nunninger.
Powdered solids are inducted, mixed and dispersed into liquid streams in controlled proportions via volumetric or gravimetric solid dosing systems. The powders and liquids are combined in a premixing zone, and then fine dispersion occurs via a rotor-stator system, which can be designed with different slot widths depending on the application.
Ystral process and application engineering expert, Uwe Klaumünzner, said the product then experiences an increase in pressure via an inducer installed between the premixing zone and the rotor-stator zone.
“This change in pressure then causes separation of the air that was introduced with the powder, thus a lower residual air content in the product,” said Klaumünzner.
“In addition, this inducer is used as axial pumping stage, to be able to also process more viscous products and then pump them from the dispersing stage.”
If post-dispersion is required, an inline dispersing machine can be installed downstream of the Coflow.
The machine was presented to a trade fair audience for the first time at this year’s ACHEMA in Frankfurt, Germany.
For its market launch, the Ystral Coflow is available in Coflow-4 size for production with an overall throughput of 6,000-13,500 kg/h. The Coflow-3 size is currently in development and is suitable for small-scale production as well as use in testing plants with an overall throughput of 2,000-8,000 kg/h.
Technomik is the official Australian distributor of Ystral products, with the range available in store in Mooroolbark, Victoria, or online at technomik.com.au.
