Located at GEA Niro in Copenhagen, Denmark, this is the World’s largest test centre of its type for process equipment.
The centre offers over 40 different pilot plants and a variety of auxiliary equipment for feasibility and pilot-scale testing various processes used in the manufacture of chemical, dairy, food and pharmaceutical products.
This centre of excellence is staffed by some of the most experienced personnel in the process equipment industry. From concept, through pilots trials and final analysis in on-site laboratories, the staff are available to consult with customers to determine the optimal process conditions on a case-by-case basis.
Test and development GEA Niro has many years of experience in adapting a wide range of technologies and processes into viable solutions for customers whom are looking to maximise potential opportunities. An ongoing development programme is constantly examining emerging technologies and their development within the global environment.
The staff work closely with GEA Niro’s (and other GEA Group companies) sales divisions, providing an in-depth understanding of current market demands across the entire process equipment portfolio.
Main activities Feasibility testing at GEA Niro’s Test Center is able to expertly evaluate whether a product should be dried, agglomerated, extracted, concentrated etc., in addition to determining all appropriate equipment needed to obtain the desired results – this equally applies for pilot testing and full-scale production. Whether samples are in a solution, slurry, paste, filter cake or powder, either as raw material or as a reference product indicating the properties of the final product, GEA Niro’s Test Center has proven time after time to deliver accurate, reliable and repeatable results.
The numerous pilot testing facilities provide vital, basic design data so that processes can be optimised for a range of conditions. This is supported by state-of-the-art laboratory analysis throughout testing programme, both before and after processing. Production samples are what it means: real samples of production quality product. These facilities are also in demand for customers who need only limited production runs – this could be for market analysis, regulative approval or special orders.
The laboratory offers customers fast, accurate data on a wide range of issues. For example, properties frequently analysed include particle size distribution, bulk density, moisture content, photomicroscopic analysis, flowability and hygroscopicity.
Given the large range of process plant at the Test Center, GEA Niro is in the position to offer complete test process lines for products such as instant coffee production and various dairy products.
Some pilot plants are also available for rental, to be used wherever the customer has the appropriate conditions for operating the plant.
Working in partnership GEA Niro’s project teams consist of specialists in fields such as, for example, process engineering, mechanical design, product testing, field testing etc. The projects are aimed at both process and equipment development.
GEA Niro’s position as the World leader in Spray Drying has long been supported by the work undertaken at the Test Center. Many of the processes operated throughout the processing equipment industry have been developed at GEA Niro. The recent sanitary, non-sifting BUBBLE PLATE™ technology is covered by one of the many patents held by GEA Niro in this area.
Across the industry, from inventors to suppliers, GEA Niro constantly seeks to develop new and existing solutions in an ever changing environment. The well-established network of contacts with universities and research institutes results in opening-up new areas of opportunity. For example, the laminar flow, rotary atomiser, known as the NARROWSPAN™ atomiser, has been developed by GEA Niro in close cooperation with world-leading research
ers.
This indust ry-leading position has led m any external funding bodies to explore various technical areas, including the following European Union programmes for ‘Risk assessment of unit operations and equipment’ (Standards and Testing Programme) and ‘Energy Efficient, Intensified Spray Drying’ (Joule III).
Existing and potential customers are invited to contact any of the dedicated, specialist Sales Engineers to obtain more detailed information about the opportunities available at the GEA Niro Test Center.