The hot air then dries the material to a preset moisture level. Once dry, the granules exit through the discharge port onto a conveyor, which transfers them to a packaging line for loading into 15 or 20kg bags. The process is continuous, although throughput varies by product. PBI has set points for different types of powder; process rates vary from 500 to 2,000 lb. per hr.
PBI purchased the fluid bed processing system from ABM Equipment Company Inc. of Portland, OR, a Kason representative. “Kason provided PBI with a laboratory unit for onsite testing, which confirmed our decision to order the larger unit for full-scale production,” says Carlbom.
He adds that the unit works reliably and meets a demanding production schedule of 12 hours per day, five to six days per week.