GEA has developed a new homogenising valve that represents a watershed in high pressure homogenisation technology. For manufacturers looking to achieve a high quality homogenising action, producing uniform particles of the required size, the NiSoX-Valve offers the perfect solution, the company says.
The NiSoX-Valve geometry facilitates a better distribution of energy toward the middle of the valve, promoting a more effective reduction in particle size and, above all, a significantly enhanced level of particle uniformity compared with previous valves. Laboratory tests have shown that the NiSoX-Valve model currently available is able to improve the uniformity of particles thanks to a standard deviation (or polydispersity index) lower than that of other valves, especially for VHP applications in the pressure range from 600 up to 1500 bar.
Applications and design
Notable advantages are afforded by the NiSoX-Valve when processing pharmaceutical and cosmetic micro and nano emulsions, nutraceuticals and liposomes:
- better homogenising action
- up to 45% improvement in particle uniformity
- lower polydispersity index compared with the standard valve
- increased stability and qualitative performance of the product
With the NiSoX-Valve the energy generated at high pressure is exploited and optimised using a different principle from that of conventional valves: the effects of elongation, acceleration and radial impact that the particles undergo inside the valve are the main reason behind the better homogenisation obtained ultimately.
From the mechanical standpoint, the geometrical configuration of the NiSoX-Valve is different from that of previous valves, with a simplified design featuring a deflector and an interaction chamber, while in terms of effectiveness on the product, all the benefits of traditional fixed geometry and high pressure homogenisers are retained and exploited to the full.
The adoption of the new NiSoX-Valve geometry provides various advantages relating not only to the product, but also to energy usage and operation of the machine:
- reduction of operating pressure by up to 30%, for a given degree of homogenization
- energy saving proportionate with results
The NiSoX-Valve is made currently in two sizes for high pressure applications, with tungsten carbide and ceramic versions available, for homogenisers of the Ariete series, models NS2006 to NS3075.
