Equipment Overview
The Vertical Fluid Bed Granulator and Dryer is a multifunctional piece of equipment that integrates granulation and drying in one unit. It can not only prepare granules in the same equipment, but also dry those granules in the same process, greatly improving production efficiency.
The FG and FL series fluid bed granulating and drying machines are important process equipment for solid preparation production in the pharmaceutical industry. They mix, granulate and dry raw and auxiliary materials, or dry the wet granules produced by a wet granulator. An automatic PLC control system is used, and both the equipment and the process comply with current GMP and Chinese Pharmacopoeia requirements.
Vertical Fluid Bed Granulator and Dryer — Working Principle
The inlet air handling unit filters and heats the inlet air and guides it into the bottom cylinder. The hot air raises the material evenly through the airflow distribution plate of the material bin, forming a continuous fluidized state in which the material is dried evenly. Alternatively, when granulating in the fluid bed, the binder is injected into the material bin through a spray gun and, under the action of compressed air, atomized and sprayed onto the surface of the material; the particles of the material are bonded and bridged by the binder to form seed granules, which gradually grow into wet granules that meet the requirements, and the binder is then dried under the action of the hot air to obtain uniform dry granules.
(1) Feeding: the material (usually in powder form) is fed into the granulating chamber of the granulator and dryer.
(2) Binder spraying: the binder is sprayed evenly onto the material through nozzles, so that the powder begins to aggregate into small particles.
(3) Fluidization: the hot air introduced from the bottom suspends the granules and brings them into a fluidized state. This helps the granules to bond with one another and accelerates the evaporation of moisture inside the granules.
(4) Granulation and drying: as the binder continues to be sprayed and the hot air acts on the material, the granules gradually grow while excess moisture is removed, thus forming the required granule size and shape.
(5) Finished product collection: after granulation and drying are complete, the finished granules are collected through the discharge outlet.
Vertical Fluid Bed Granulator and Dryer — Equipment Structure
(1) Inlet air handling unit
The inlet air handling unit contains three-stage filters — G4 (primary), F8 (medium) and H13 (high efficiency). Temperature control accuracy is high, and the inlet air flow is controlled by a variable-frequency fan drive, and can be set and adjusted.
(2) Main unit structure
The main unit includes the bottom cylinder, the movable material bin, the fluidization chamber and the expansion chamber (also called the filter chamber). Inflatable silicone-rubber sealing rings are used between the bottom cylinder, the movable material bin and the fluidization chamber, and a compressed-air detection function is provided to ensure reliable sealing.
(3) Product filter
Between the double bag-shaking antistatic filter bags (or a stainless steel reverse-jet filter where special requirements apply) and the filter chamber, inflatable rubber sealing rings are used, with a compressed-air detection function to ensure reliable sealing. A dust sensor is installed in the exhaust duct and interlocked with the PLC control system to ensure product safety during production.
(4) Exhaust air handling unit
The exhaust system can be designed and equipped with a dust collection system according to requirements, so as to meet environmental protection requirements.
(5) Fluid bed granulation
When fluid bed granulation and drying is required, a binder mixing tank and a peristaltic pump and spray gun system are provided, injecting the binder into the material bin through the spray gun and, under the action of compressed air, atomizing and spraying it onto the surface of the material; the particles of the material are bonded and bridged by the binder to form seed granules, which gradually grow into wet granules that meet the requirements, and the binder is then dried under the action of the hot air to obtain uniform dry granules.
Vertical Fluid Bed Granulator and Dryer — Performance Features
(1) Integrated operation: granulation and drying are completed in the same equipment, simplifying the process flow.
(2) High efficiency and energy saving: it reduces the time and energy consumption required to granulate separately and then dry.
(3) Good uniformity: fluidization technology guarantees the uniformity of the granules.
(4) Easy to control: by adjusting parameters such as spray volume, temperature and air flow rate, the size and density of the granules can be flexibly controlled.
(5) Wide application range: suitable for the granulation and drying of various materials, such as in the pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries.
Vertical Fluid Bed Granulator and Dryer — Process Flow Chart
