USED FLUID AIR 001

MANUFACTURER INFORMATION
Fluid Air is a manufacturer and supplier of pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food and specialty chemical processing equipment. Its technologies include fluid bed processing, granulation, drying, coating and electrostatic spray drying systems. The PolarDry equipment line utilizes electrostatic spray drying technology for converting compatible liquid formulations into dry powdered products. Fluid Air's laboratory and development-scale equipment is used in formulation research, process optimization, powder manufacturing studies and specialized applications involving temperature-sensitive or high-value materials.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Used Fluid Air PolarDry Model 001 laboratory electrostatic spray dryer with maximum evaporation capacity of 1 kg/hr, designed for cGMP-oriented laboratory research, formulation development and pilot-scale processing of compatible aqueous feedstocks into powdered products. System features (1) electrostatic atomizing nozzle with AccuJet electrostatic nozzle controller and utilizes nitrogen drying and atomizing gas with integrated inerting and safety monitoring systems. Rated for maximum nitrogen drying gas inlet temperature of 140°C, drying gas flow of 43 Nm³/hr, maximum atomizing gas temperature of 150°C and maximum atomizing gas pressure of 552 kPa. Constructed with 316L stainless steel and ULTEM machine tower components and an FDA-approved acrylic spray chamber. Includes (2) 5-micron polyester cartridge filters with 316 stainless steel wire mesh and reverse-pulse cleaning, HEPA exhaust filtration, electric drying gas heater, brushless DC blower and 1-liter glass powder collection system. Equipped with Watson-Marlow Model 313 peristaltic feed pump with 6–220 RPM operating range, Allen-Bradley programmable logic controller (PLC) with Batch Architect control system and operator touchscreen human-machine interface (HMI) for process operation and monitoring. Compact, portable stainless steel design. Electrical requirements are 208–240 volts, single-phase, 50/60 Hz, 30 amps. Possible applications include laboratory electrostatic spray drying, pharmaceutical formulation research, nutraceutical powder development, microencapsulation studies, particle engineering, process development and conversion of compatible aqueous food ingredient, biotechnology and specialty chemical formulations into dry powders.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Fluid Air

Product Line: PolarDry

Model: 001

Equipment Type: Laboratory Electrostatic Spray Dryer

Condition: Used

Design Application: cGMP-Oriented Laboratory and Pilot-Scale Processing

Maximum Evaporation Capacity: 1 kg/hr

Feedstock Type: Compatible Aqueous Formulations

Atomization Technology: Electrostatic

Number of Atomizing Nozzles: 1

Electrostatic Nozzle Controller: AccuJet

Drying Gas: Nitrogen

Drying Gas Flow: 43 Nm³/hr

Maximum Drying Gas Inlet Temperature: 140°C

Maximum Atomizing Gas Temperature: 150°C

Maximum Atomizing Gas Pressure: 552 kPa

Machine Tower Construction: 316L Stainless Steel and ULTEM

Spray Chamber: FDA-Approved Acrylic

Cartridge Filters: (2) 5-Micron Polyester Filters

Filter Support Material: 316 Stainless Steel Wire Mesh

Filter Cleaning: Reverse-Pulse

Exhaust Filtration: HEPA

Drying Gas Heater: Electric

Blower Type: Brushless DC

Powder Collection: 1-Liter Glass Collection System

Liquid Feed Pump: Watson-Marlow Model 313

Feed Pump Speed Range: 6–220 RPM

Control System: Allen-Bradley PLC

Batch Control Software: Batch Architect

Operator Interface: Touchscreen HMI

Gas Safety System: Nitrogen Inerting and Integrated Safety Monitoring

Equipment Design: Compact Portable Stainless Steel

Electrical Requirements: 208–240 Volts, Single-Phase, 50/60 Hz

Electrical Rating: 30 Amps

APPLICATIONS
- Laboratory Electrostatic Spray Drying: Converts compatible aqueous liquid formulations into dry powders using electrostatic atomization and controlled nitrogen drying gas conditions. Suitable for laboratory research involving powder formation, moisture removal and formulation evaluation.
- Pharmaceutical Formulation Research: Supports research and development of compatible pharmaceutical powders, excipient systems and active ingredient formulations requiring controlled spray drying and particle formation.
- Pharmaceutical Process Development: Provides laboratory-scale equipment for evaluating spray drying parameters, feed formulations, drying temperatures and powder characteristics before considering larger-scale production.
- Nutraceutical Powder Development: Processes compatible aqueous formulations containing vitamins, nutritional ingredients, botanical extracts and other dietary supplement components into dry powders for formulation research.
- Microencapsulation Research: Supports development of compatible encapsulated powders using active ingredients and suitable carrier materials. Potential applications include research involving flavors, vitamins, botanical compounds and other specialty ingredients.
- Temperature-Sensitive Ingredient Processing: Provides electrostatic spray drying capabilities for compatible materials that may benefit from controlled drying conditions, including selected nutritional compounds, flavors and bioactive ingredients.
- Particle Engineering and Powder Development: Supports investigation of powder properties such as particle size, morphology, moisture content, flow characteristics and product stability. Actual particle characteristics depend on formulation and operating conditions.
- Biotechnology Formulation Development: May be used for processing compatible aqueous biotechnology-derived materials, biological ingredients and specialty formulations where product activity and stability can be evaluated.
- Food Ingredient Research: Converts suitable aqueous food ingredient solutions, extracts and emulsions into powdered products for food science research and specialty ingredient development.
- Flavor and Aroma Encapsulation: Supports potential development of encapsulated flavor powders using compatible aqueous emulsions and carrier materials for food and beverage ingredient applications.
- Specialty Chemical Powder Research: Provides laboratory-scale spray drying capabilities for compatible water-based chemical formulations, specialty polymers and functional materials.
- Powder Formulation Optimization: Allows evaluation of feed concentration, gas temperature, atomization settings and other operating parameters affecting powder formation and drying performance.
- Nitrogen Atmosphere Drying: Utilizes nitrogen drying gas and integrated inerting equipment for processing compatible formulations where controlled oxygen exposure is a consideration.
- Pilot-Scale Feasibility Studies: Supports early-stage process studies and development of operating conditions for potential scale-up to larger electrostatic spray drying equipment.
- Research Laboratory Operations: Suitable for potential applications in pharmaceutical research laboratories, university research facilities, formulation development centers and specialty ingredient research operations.
SUITABLE PRODUCTS / MATERIALS
- Aqueous Pharmaceutical Formulations: Water-based pharmaceutical solutions and dispersions containing compatible active ingredients, excipients and formulation carriers.
- Pharmaceutical Excipients: Aqueous formulations containing suitable pharmaceutical polymers, binders, carrier materials and other excipients used in spray drying research.
- Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Formulations: Compatible aqueous API-containing solutions or dispersions intended for laboratory particle formation and formulation development studies.
- Vitamin Formulations: Water-based preparations containing compatible vitamins and nutritional compounds intended for powder development and stability evaluation.
- Nutraceutical Ingredients: Aqueous formulations containing suitable dietary supplement ingredients, nutritional compounds and other nutraceutical materials.
- Botanical Extracts: Compatible water-based herbal extracts, plant concentrates and botanical formulations intended for drying or encapsulation research.
- Antioxidant Formulations: Suitable aqueous preparations containing antioxidants and other bioactive compounds where processing conditions support ingredient stability.
- Protein Formulations: Compatible water-based protein solutions and dispersions intended for laboratory powder development, subject to stability and processing limitations.
- Enzyme Preparations: Selected aqueous enzyme formulations where temperature exposure and processing conditions can be evaluated for retention of functional activity.
- Probiotic and Biological Formulations: Potential research applications involving compatible biological preparations, subject to demonstrated viability, product stability and process suitability.
- Food Ingredient Solutions: Compatible water-based food ingredients, soluble solids and liquid concentrates intended for conversion into powdered products.
- Flavor Emulsions: Suitable aqueous flavor emulsions containing compatible flavor compounds and carrier materials for spray drying and encapsulation studies.
- Beverage Ingredient Formulations: Water-based beverage concentrates, functional ingredients and specialty formulations intended for powdered beverage product development.
- Encapsulation Carrier Materials: Compatible aqueous preparations containing carrier ingredients such as maltodextrins, selected gums and other suitable encapsulating agents.
- Specialty Polymer Solutions: Compatible water-based polymer formulations intended for laboratory powder production and particle engineering.
- Specialty Chemical Solutions: Aqueous chemical formulations containing dissolved ingredients suitable for electrostatic spray drying.
- Chemical Dispersions: Compatible water-based dispersions containing suspended solids where particle size, feed stability and nozzle compatibility are appropriate.
- Microencapsulation Feed Mixtures: Aqueous formulations containing suitable active materials and carrier ingredients intended for experimental encapsulation and powder production.
- Functional Food Ingredients: Compatible liquid formulations containing nutritional, botanical or other specialty food ingredients intended for powder development.
- Biotechnology-Derived Ingredients: Selected water-based biological or fermentation-derived formulations suitable for controlled laboratory drying studies.
Product compatibility depends on solids content, viscosity, particle size, electrical properties, thermal sensitivity, feed stability and chemical compatibility. The machine is described for aqueous feedstocks; suitability for organic solvents or flammable formulations has not been established.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
- What is the Fluid Air PolarDry Model 001 electrostatic spray dryer used for?
The Fluid Air PolarDry Model 001 is a laboratory-scale electrostatic spray dryer designed to convert compatible aqueous liquid formulations into dry powdered products. Applications include pharmaceutical formulation development, nutraceutical research, laboratory powder production, microencapsulation studies and specialty ingredient processing.
- What is the evaporation capacity of the Fluid Air PolarDry 001?
The machine has a maximum rated evaporation capacity of 1 kg/hr. This represents the amount of liquid that can be evaporated under specified operating conditions rather than the quantity of finished powder produced per hour. Actual powder output depends on feed solids concentration, moisture content and operating parameters.
- Is the PolarDry Model 001 a laboratory or production spray dryer?
The Model 001 is designed for laboratory research, formulation development and pilot-scale processing. Its 1 kg/hr evaporation capacity makes it suitable for small-scale studies, process evaluation and development work rather than the higher-throughput requirements of larger commercial spray drying systems.
- What is electrostatic spray drying?
Electrostatic spray drying uses electrical effects during liquid atomization and controlled drying conditions to help form powder particles from compatible liquid feedstocks. The technology provides an alternative to conventional spray drying for selected formulations requiring specialized particle formation or drying conditions.
- How does electrostatic spray drying differ from conventional spray drying?
Conventional spray drying relies on atomization and heated drying gas to remove liquid from droplets. Electrostatic spray drying incorporates electrical charging or electrical effects into the atomization process, potentially influencing drying behavior and powder formation. Performance depends on formulation characteristics and operating conditions.
- Does the Fluid Air PolarDry 001 use nitrogen gas?
Yes. The system includes nitrogen drying gas operation and a nitrogen inerting system. It also includes integrated safety monitoring. Nitrogen-based operation can provide a controlled gas atmosphere for compatible formulations, subject to the equipment's specified operating and safety requirements.
- What is the maximum drying gas inlet temperature?
The maximum nitrogen drying gas inlet temperature is 140°C. Actual operating temperatures should be selected based on formulation properties, evaporation requirements and product stability.
- What is the drying gas flow rate?
The machine has a specified drying gas flow of 43 Nm³/hr. The normal cubic meter designation indicates a standardized gas volume basis, which should be interpreted using the reference conditions in the manufacturer's documentation.
- What are the atomizing gas specifications?
The system has a maximum atomizing gas temperature of 150°C and maximum atomizing gas pressure of 552 kPa. These specifications are relevant to atomization system operation and should be considered when evaluating facility utility requirements.
- What is the purpose of the AccuJet electrostatic nozzle controller?
The AccuJet controller is used with the electrostatic atomizing nozzle to manage the electrical aspects of the atomization process. Specific settings, operating ranges and available controls should be confirmed for the installed system.
- What materials are used in the machine construction?
The machine tower includes 316L stainless steel and ULTEM components. The spray chamber is constructed of FDA-approved acrylic. The filter assemblies include polyester cartridge elements with 316 stainless steel wire mesh.
- Does this spray dryer include a powder collection system?
Yes. The machine includes a 1-liter glass powder collection system for collecting dried material. Actual powder collection efficiency and recoverable batch quantity depend on formulation properties and operating conditions.
- What filtration equipment is included?
The system includes two 5-micron polyester cartridge filters with 316 stainless steel wire mesh and reverse-pulse cleaning. HEPA exhaust filtration is also provided. The filtration components support powder separation and particulate control within the equipment's gas handling system.
- How does reverse-pulse filter cleaning work?
Reverse-pulse cleaning uses short pulses of gas directed through the filter elements to help dislodge accumulated powder. This can assist in maintaining filtration performance during spray drying operations.
- What liquid feed pump is installed?
The machine includes a Watson-Marlow Model 313 peristaltic feed pump with an operating speed range of 6–220 RPM. The actual liquid feed rate depends on pump tubing dimensions, tubing material, fluid properties and operating settings.
- What are the advantages of a peristaltic feed pump?
A peristaltic pump moves liquid through flexible tubing using rotating compression rollers. This design allows the process liquid to remain within the tubing and can support controlled transfer of compatible aqueous formulations to the atomizing nozzle.
- Can the PolarDry 001 be used for microencapsulation?
The machine may be used for laboratory development of compatible microencapsulated powders. Potential applications include encapsulation studies involving flavors, botanical ingredients, vitamins and specialty compounds. Encapsulation performance depends on formulation chemistry, carrier materials and process conditions.
- Can this spray dryer process temperature-sensitive ingredients?
The system may be suitable for selected temperature-sensitive aqueous formulations requiring controlled drying conditions. Actual suitability depends on the material's thermal stability, exposure conditions and desired finished powder characteristics.
- Can this equipment be used for pharmaceutical research and development?
Yes. The machine is described as designed for cGMP-oriented laboratory and development processing. It may be suitable for compatible pharmaceutical formulation research, process development and powder characterization. Actual regulated use requires appropriate qualification, validation and operating procedures.
- What control system does the Fluid Air PolarDry 001 use?
The machine includes an Allen-Bradley PLC with Batch Architect controls and an operator touchscreen HMI. This system provides automated process operation and operator interaction. Specific recipe management, monitoring and data recording capabilities should be confirmed.
- Does this spray dryer include integrated safety monitoring?
Yes. The equipment includes a nitrogen inerting system and integrated safety monitoring. Buyers should verify the specific sensors, alarm functions, safety interlocks and operating procedures associated with the installed equipment.
- Is the Fluid Air PolarDry 001 portable?
The machine is described as having a compact, portable stainless steel design. This configuration may be useful for laboratory environments, process development facilities and research operations requiring flexible equipment placement. Facility utility connections and safe installation requirements must still be considered.
- Can this spray dryer process solvent-based formulations?
The machine is specified for compatible aqueous feedstocks. Suitability for organic solvents, flammable liquids or other nonaqueous formulations has not been established. Nitrogen inerting alone does not confirm solvent compatibility or explosion protection. Buyers should obtain manufacturer confirmation before considering such applications.
- What electrical service is required?
The machine requires 208–240 volts, single-phase, 50/60 Hz electrical service and is rated at 30 amps. Facility electrical capacity and installation requirements should be verified before operation.
- Can Aaron Equipment assist with shipping this Fluid Air PolarDry spray dryer?
Yes. Aaron Equipment can assist with coordinating freight and transportation arrangements for used laboratory and industrial processing equipment. Our team can help discuss equipment dimensions, handling requirements, shipment destinations and available transportation options. Contact Aaron Equipment for additional shipping information.
- How can Aaron Equipment help with purchasing or selling used laboratory spray drying equipment?
Aaron Equipment buys, sells and helps customers source used industrial and laboratory processing machinery, including electrostatic spray dryers, laboratory spray drying systems, pharmaceutical dryers, fluid bed processors and specialty powder processing equipment. Buyers can contact Aaron Equipment for specifications, availability and purchasing assistance. Companies looking to sell surplus machinery can inquire about direct equipment purchases, consignments and auction services. Contact Aaron Equipment at 630-350-2200 for additional information.