High-Pressure Homogenizers

For immediate release–May 25, 1999

Hudson, Wisconsin–Niro Soavi announces the availability of high-pressure homogenizers and positive displacement pumps. The equipment creates stable emulsions, dispersions, and mixes, improves chemical reaction processes, and enhances extraction. It is frequently used in the chemical, pharmaceutical, food and dairy, and cosmetics industries.

High pressure homogenizers and positive displacement pumps

GEA Niro Soavi offers a full range of equipment sizes, from tabletop laboratory size handling 2.64 gal/hr (10 liters/hr) to full-scale production units that can process up to 264 gpm (60,000 l/h). Pressures up to 21,750 psi (1500 bar) produce mean particle sizes of 0.15 to 0.3 microns. Homogenization systems may be produced as customized, skid-mounted complete process packages, including feed pumps, automated control systems, heating and cooling of feed and product, and all other components. The equipment is easily adaptable to cleaning in place and sterilization.

Specific chemical applications include adhesives, antioxidants, bentonite in oil, bitumen-base products, cellulose land derivates, colorants, corrosion inhibitors, clay dispersions, colloidal suspensions, detergents, dyestuffs, emulsifiers, fuel oil. Greases, ink, kaolin, lanolin, latex, lubricating oil, mineral oil emulsions, paints, paraffin emulsions, pesticides, pigments, photographic emulsions, polishes, polymers, resins, rubber and latex, shoe polish, soap, starches, waxes, weatherproofing material, and wood preservatives.

In the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, this equipment is essential for cell rupturing, to enhance the extraction of intracellular proteins without the use of lysozymes. It is also used to manufacture stable quality emulsions, dispersions, and mixes, required for many oil-based medicinal and health products. Specific applications include antibiotics, liposome suspensions, medicinal syrups, ointments, creams and lotions, proteins, and vitamins. High-pressure homogenization enhances emulsification processes.

In the cosmetic industry, Niro Soavi homogenizers provide the most effective way to create the correct product texture in beauty creams, lotions, nail varnishes, shampoos, and toothpastes. It also ensures the most efficient use of active agents, thus reducing product costs. Specific cosmetic applications include beauty creams, cosmetics, lotions, moisture creams, nail varnishes, perfumes, soaps (liquid/bar), syrups, and toothpaste.

In the food and dairy industries the equipment provides improved product stability, shelf-life, digestion, and taste. It can also significantly reduce the amount of additives required. It helps prepare feeds for spray drying to produce the best quality powders, particularly important with baby foods and many dairy and food products. Specific applications include animal fats, baby foods, butter oil, casienates, chestnut/hazelnut paste, chocolate, condensed milk and cream, confectionery, cream cheese, cream for coffee, desserts, egg, fish paste, flavors, fruit juices, fruit pulps and concentrates, gelatins, gum arabic, honey, ice cream mix, ketchup, margarine, meat paste, milk concentrates, milk protein, sterilized/recombined milk, milk & cream-based liqueurs, puddings, sauces, soy milk, syrups, tomato paste/concentrate, vegetable oil, whey, yeast, and yogurt.

Homogenization involves the subdivision of particles or droplets present in fluids into submicron sizes to create a stable dispersion for further processing. The process occurs in a special valve, the design of which is the heart of the homogenizing equipment. A properly designed positive displacement pump is also crucial to the homogenization process. Handling fluids under high pressure is a technology in its own right, combining the disciplines of machine design, strength of materials, and the behavior of fluids under extreme flow conditions. Niro Soavi has experience in handling a wide variety of fluids, emulsions, suspensions, slurries, pastes, multiphase liquids, and highly viscous formulations.

GEA Niro Soavi is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-pressure homogenizers and positive displacement pumps. Niro Soavi designs have been successfully used in a wide range of industries for more than 40 years. The company is a member of the GEA Group, an international concern specializing in liquid treatment, drying, and powder handling.

For further information:

Phone : 410-997-8700
Fax : 410-997-5021
Email : gea.pe.na@geagroup.com