Solids Solutions: the leading specialist in powders, granules and smart processes

Powder seems harmless – until it starts to clump, stick or refuses to come out of the silo. That’s when production grinds to a halt and frustration mounts. Delft Solids Solutions in Wateringen knows these problems all too well. This company specialises in the physical properties of solids.

Who is Solids Solutions?

Delft Solids Solutions is a CRO (contract research organisation) with over 40 years’ experience in powder and particle technology. Among other things, the company investigates porosity and specific surface area, particle size and shape, and the behaviour of bulk materials. It works for a wide range of sectors: pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food and animal feed, cosmetics, paints and coatings, and building materials.

In addition, the company runs its own academy offering courses and seminars. Those seeking a direct solution can turn to the consultancy service for practical problem-solving.

Powder flow analyzer: understanding flow behaviour

A powder that flows smoothly is worth its weight in gold. One that gets stuck in the hopper, causes bridging or is dispensed unevenly costs time and money. A powder flow analyzer shows how a powder actually behaves before it causes problems in your process.

Solids Solutions measures flow using various techniques. These include Jenike and ring shear tests, which help you determine how a silo or hopper should be designed. The Hosokawa powder tester with the Carr index is also part of the range, for assessing flow and floodability behaviour. Furthermore, the company assesses cohesion, compressibility, caking, segregation and dustiness. This provides you with hard data rather than assumptions. A reliable powder flow analyser prevents surprises when scaling up from the laboratory to the factory.

Optimization of spray drying processes

Spray-drying converts liquid into powder. It is a widely used technique in the food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The process is also sensitive: even a slight deviation in temperature, droplet size or composition can significantly affect the end product. Powder that sticks to the walls of the dryer is a well-known example of this.

Optimization of spray drying processes is all about understanding the relationship between the process and the properties of the powder. Solids Solutions measures, for example, stickiness, particle size and flow behaviour. With this data, you can make targeted adjustments to achieve a better yield and more consistent quality. Together with its partner IP&D experts, the company also organised a practical course on spray drying, featuring lectures, case studies and real-world experiments on a pilot spray dryer. This allows theory to be put into practice straight away.

Knowledge that goes beyond measurements

Solids Solutions measures and advises, and it also shares knowledge. The popular ‘Powders & Granules’ courses are regularly sold out, leading to additional sessions being scheduled. In addition, the company is working on innovation, such as a patent application for controlled-release fertilisers using the biodegradable polymer Caleyda®. There has also been a recent expansion into nanoparticle analysis using Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis.

Getting started with your powder

Are you experiencing stickiness, an erratic powder flow or a spray dryer that isn’t performing as you’d like? If so, please contact Delft Solids Solutions in Wateringen. Just one conversation can go a long way towards clarifying things.