Process News

Latest Update: September 2010  

Process Intensification Roadshow

BHR Group are taking to the road with a Process Intensification Roadshow. The 2 hour presentation is aimed at process engineers and chemists and will introduce the BHR Group methodology to ensure processes are designed to give chemical reactions the optimum environment to increase yields and reduce processing time. There is no cost for us to make this presentation to your company. To request your presentation contact enqprocess@bhrgroup.co.uk

Potential Nanoparticle FP7 projects at BHR Group

BHR Group is inviting partners from industry and academia with relevant expertise and interest to take part in submitting proposals for the current FP7 Call. The two proposals are likely to be submitted under:

NMP.2011.1.4-1 Large scale green and economic synthesis of nanoparticles and nanostructures.

Partners from a wide spectrum are invited to participate including material manufacturers, current and future end-users interested in the formulation of their final products. If your organisation is interested in participating in these proposals or is considering to submit a separate proposal please contact
Dr Gul Ozcan  gozcan@bhrgroup.co.uk   +44(0)1234 756 505
Mr Mike Butcher  mbutcher@bhrgroup.co.uk   +44(0)1234 756 537
for an in-depth discussion.

a) Nanoparticle manufacture

Whilst products with nanoparticles in their formulation are becoming more common in the market, there are a number of challenges relating to the large scale cost- effective and safe manufacturing of these. The processes and equipment employed and the operating conditions during manufacture (especially the relationship between fluid dynamics, reaction kinetics and physical properties) have a great impact on the resulting material. Consequently whilst primary particle size may be of the order of 1 to a few 10’s of nanometres, the smallest species incorporated into the final product can be 100’s of nanometres.

This project will investigate the different process routes and manufacturing techniques in relation to the properties of resulting particles and final products in the form of nanoparticulate dispersions. These will include aggregate strength and size, dispersion stability and functionality. Scale up and safety of the manufacturing technique and materials will also be studied. The target for this call is to develop 100kg+ production scale for a range of nanoparticles, which could be labile organic entities or inorganic materials. It also requires flexible manufacturing plant along with development of scale up rules and control of the manufacturing process. Low energy and possibly green chemistry routes will be required to fulfil the call requirements as will process safety considerations.

b) Nanoemulsions

Nanoemulsions, nanostructures containing sub-micron droplets and nanoparticles, constitute an important part of food, pharmaceutical and personal care products. This project will aim to investigate innovative manufacturing processes of nanoemulsions for safe, reliable, large scale production of stable and reproducible products in the form of nanoemulsions.

Find out more about BHR Group          Nanoparticles at BHR Group

New FMP member

FMP is an industrially funded mixing research consortium running continuously since 1983 which is owned and Managed by BHR Group Limited.

In a recent agreement Joshua Greaves & Sons Ltd joined the FMP consortium. Joshua Greaves & Sons Ltd believes that FMP assists bespoke, accurate design and calculations to support virtually all customers mixing requirements. “Total fluid engineering provides integrated improvements and new solutions to the requirements of highly regarded customers and their suppliers”, Edward Greaves said. He also mentions that Greaves and FMP design, combined with leading efficiency, remarkable build quality and vast experience produce complete satisfaction for all customers' demands.

About Greaves

Joshua Greaves & Sons Ltd were founded in 1919 to undertake general engineering work, but soon established specialist manufacturing capabilities which included Whitehead steam governors, bevel gearboxes and in-line shafting.

Their first industrial mixer was manufactured in 1922 for Midland Vinegar of the UK. The company soon became recognised as Greaves Industrial Mixers, and as a leading industrial fluid mixer manufacturer within the UK they boast many prestigious clients in the leading fields of process engineering, including food, pharmaceuticals, breweries, soft drinks, paints, inks, resins, water and effluent treatments.

Located in Lancashire, UK, Greaves Industrial Mixers have a modern 2000 square metre design, test and manufacturing facility and use the latest FMP computer design and manufacturing techniques to optimise both efficiency and performance of their products.

These include rotor/stator, dispersers, propellers and turbines. In-line, side and bottom entry mixers can provide a combined alternative to traditional mixing perceptions. Bespoke Greaves dual and triple actions mixers offer a vast solution in many industries, combining a variety anchor paddles with alternative scrapers, high shear and blending in a diverse range of applications.

All models are available from pilot scale for research purposes and Greaves Industrial Mixers have their own pilot facility which is used to test client's products and optimise the appropriate method and type of mixer for the given applications.

All Greaves Industrial Mixers are available with flameproof or ATEX approved motors as well as IP55 enclosures. Many can be supplied with shaft sealing systems for a wide range of pressure and temperature applications. Zone 1 and 2 systems are widely available as well as Zone 0 (third party inspected) for particular industry requirements.

Experimental database for non-Newtonian flow in four channel shapes

Journal of Hydraulic Research has published an article by BHR Group’s senior consultant, Dr Neil Alderman and his colleagues from Flow Process Research Centre, Cape Peninsula University of Technology with the title of “Experimental database for non-Newtonian flow in four channel shapes”.

Volume 48 Issue 3 2010 Pages 363 – 370

BHR Group at North American Mixing Forum, June 20 - 25, 2010 Victoria, BC CANADA 

 
BHR will be presenting 3 papers and chairing sessions at NAMF this year.

• David Brown - Flow Measurements in Single and Multiphase Mixing Processes

 http://mixing.net/Conferences/mix22/abstracts/David-Brown.pdf

• Gul Ozcan Taskin - Flow and Power Characteristics of Three Types of In-Line Rotor

-Stators 

http://mixing.net/Conferences/mix22/abstracts/Gul_Ozcan_2.pdf

• Gustavo Padron - Effect of Dispersed Phase Fraction on Drop Size in Immiscible Liquid-Liquid Dispersions: Coalescence or Turbulence Damping?

http://mixing.net/Conferences/mix22/abstracts/Gustavo_Padron.pdf%20

BHR Group at NanoMaterials2010

BHR Group will be exhibiting at NanoMaterials2010, the forthcoming event to be held on 8th, 9th and 10th June 2010 at the Hotel Russell, London, UK. According to the event organisers, NanoMaterials2010 will focus on the commercialisation of nanomaterials, rather than theoretical benefits. In addition, the event will discuss the effects of nanomaterials on key markets in, Thin film and printed electronics, Nanoplastics and nanocomposites and clean technology.

The event includes 4 parallel sessions and BHR Group’s senior technical consultant will speak in the Coating, Inks and Pigments session on10th of June at 15:40. Dr. Gul Ozcan-Taskin will explore different dimensions of Dispersion of Nanoparticles in Liquids during her presentation.

New findings on non-Newtonian flow in various channel shapes

Chemical Engineering Science journal has published an article by BHR Group’s senior consultant, Dr Neil Alderman and his colleagues from Flow Process Research Centre, Cape Peninsula University of Technology with the title of “Friction factor-Reynolds number relationship for laminar flow of non-Newtonian fluids in open channels of different cross-sectional shapes”.

Volume 65, Issue 11, Pages 3363-3698 (1 June 2010)

Abstract
The effect of channel shape on the friction factor-Reynolds number relationship for laminar, open channel flow of three non-Newtonian fluids was investigated. For each channel shape, the data can be described by a general relationship, f=K/Re where f is the Fanning friction factor and Re is the appropriate Haldenwang et al. (2002) Reynolds number corresponding to the flow curve model used to describe the non-Newtonian behaviour exhibited by the test fluid. The K values were found to be 14.6 for triangular channels with a vertex angle of 90°, 16.2 for semi-circular channels, 16.4 for rectangular channels and 17.6 for trapezoidal channels with 60° sides. These K values were found to be in line with those reported by Straub et al. (1958) and Chow (1959) for open channel flow of Newtonian fluids as opposed to the assumption made by (Haldenwang et al., 2002) and (Haldenwang et al., 2004) of using a constant value of 16 based on the pipe flow paradigm for all channel shapes.

WAB AG became a new member of Domino  

For many decades, Willy A. Bachofen AG have specialised in milling and fine dispersion technology with its world renowned DYNO®-MILL. With its head quarters based in Switzerland WAB operates with 4 subsidiary companies and a complementary workforce of over 45 sales and service centres throughout the world.
The stringent requirements which the finished product has to fulfil also demand the highest engineering standards, quality performance, abrasion resistance and material compatibility from the machine components.


picture: Harald Frommherz, Managing Director WAB AG and Brian Borrill, Sales Manager BHR Group

In the particle size reduction programmes, the quality boundaries are forever being pushed further and requirements are constantly changing. To meet these demands Willy A. Bachofen have always placed itself in the customers environment to better understand their targets and aspirations.

Willy A. Bachofen AG became members of the industrial consortium run at BHR Group, DOMINO, having identified such joint values that will allow both parties to create synergies through bead milling studies.

The inclusion of WAB AG offers all new and existing members the possibility to better combine their products and services. With an extensive mill program and many years of expertise, WAB AG will play its role as an active partner in the research and development that the BHR Group will undertake in a large field of process applications.