Laboratory Granulator

What Is a Laboratory Granulator?

A laboratory granulator is a bench- or small-scale machine designed to convert powders or fine materials into granules through mechanical action (e.g., extrusion, tumbling, wet binder spray) or fluidized bed granulation. These units are used for R&D, pilot trials or small-batch production and enable users to test granulation parameters, particle size, shape and flow properties under controlled conditions.
For example, one model is specified with a 5 kW power rating, capacity up to 1000 g/batch, and temperature control from 40–150 °C. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Key Components & Features

• Granulation Chamber / Screen Cylinder – In lab models, dimensions can be compact (e.g., diameter ≈80 mm, capacity 10–20 kg/h) with stainless‐steel (304/316L) contact parts. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
• Motor & Drive System – Variable frequency drives (VFD) or inverter controls allow adjustable speeds for different material behaviors. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
• Binder or Spray System (for wet granulation) – Precision pump + spray nozzle to introduce binder or liquid into the granulation zone (for wet granulation). E.g., a model accepts nozzle orifice sizes of 0.5–2.0 mm. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
• Control Panel & Instrumentation – Touch‐screen interface, temperature/pressure/airflow monitoring, recipe storage, GMP‐compatible cleaning/disassembly. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

How It Works – Typical Workflow

1. Powder Loading – The powdered material or fine filler is loaded into the granulator chamber.
2. Granulation Action – Depending on model:

• For dry granulation: rollers or extrusion blades compress the powder through a screen into granules.
• For wet granulation: binder or liquid is sprayed while the material is agitated/tumbled or fluidized to form granules.

1. Sizing/Screening – A screen or mesh ensures granules meet target size (e.g., 0.6–3 mm) and rejects fines. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
2. Discharge & Collection – Granules are collected for downstream testing, compression, drying or further processing.

Typical Technical Specifications

These are approximate values drawn from current lab-scale granulators. Always refer to vendor datasheet for exact values.

• Model Example: “ZL-80 Lab Rotary Granulator” – Capacity 10-20 kg/h, motor 0.37 kW, basket diameter 80 mm. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
• Batch Capacity: 0.05 – 20 kg depending on model and formulation.
• Screen Hole Size / Granule Diameter: ~0.6 – 3 mm typical for small/batch systems. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
• Motor Power: ~0.25 kW – 4 kW, depending on scale and agglomeration mechanism. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
• Dimensions: Example lab size: ~495 × 258 × 435 mm, weight ~45 kg. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
• Construction Material: SUS304 or SUS316L for all parts in contact with material (meets clean/sterile lab requirements). :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

Advantages & Benefits

• Small-Batch Flexibility – Ideal for R&D and pilot production where only small quantities of material are available.
• Precise Control – Adjustable parameters (speed, screen size, spray rate) enable fine tuning of granule size, density and morphology.
• Hygienic & Cleanable – Lab units often feature quick disassembly and stainless steel contact parts for GMP or food-grade use. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
• Scalable Data – Lab results can help predict full-scale production performance, reducing scale-up risk. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

Typical Applications

• Pharmaceuticals – Granulation of APIs + excipients to improve flow and compression behavior for tablet/capsule manufacturing.
• Food/Nutraceuticals – Formation of granules from powders (instant beverages, seasonings, vitamins) for easy handling and blending.
• Chemicals / Agro-chemicals – Granulation of powders with poor flow or dust issues, improving handling, dosing, and shipping.

Selection Guide – How to Choose a Lab Granulator

1. Product Properties – Powder particle size, moisture content, sensitivity to pressure/heat, target granule size and density.
2. Batch Size Requirements – Select capacity with margin, e.g., 10x typical lab batch to allow representative scale.
3. Granulation Type – Dry vs wet: binder requirements, need for spray/bind system.
4. Material of Construction – For pharmaceuticals or food: SUS316L, polished finish, CIP/cleanability.
5. Control & Data Logging – Touchscreen, recipe storage, endpoint detection (torque, power consumption) may be useful.
6. Upgrade Path – Ensure vendor offers larger models for scale-up if production volume increases.

Troubleshooting – Common Issues & Fixes

Summary

The laboratory granulator mini dry-powder granulating machine is a versatile, precise tool for converting powders into granules under controlled lab-scale conditions.
By selecting appropriate screen size, drive speed, binder/spray parameters and clean construction, users can generate granules with reproducible size, density and flow — enabling efficient development of downstream processes and scale-up to production systems.

Note: The specifications above serve as general guidance. Final equipment configuration and parameter settings should always be confirmed with the manufacturer and validated through process trials.