GEA establishes in-house test lab

GEA has recently established its own in house test laboratory at its facility in Hamilton, New Zealand. The new laboratory will enable GEA engineers to carry out tests on the properties of powders and to design powder packaging systems based on scientifically obtained data to optimise production and reduce waste.

In the past, tests have focused on characteristics such as particle size and density but this did not enable engineers to predict how the powder would flow or how it would react to fluidization and compaction on the production line. The new lab equipment measures seven characteristics of any given powder and enables engineers to design systems to suit each individual product.

Chris Singleton, engineering manager at GEA, says “Until now working out how any given powder would behave was something of a ‘black art’ or at least a ‘black science’, relying very much on experience and gut feel. “We have used outside labs in the past, but the turnaround was very slow and it was very expensive. Having our own lab means we can get accurate quantifiable numbers quickly and relatively cheaply and use them in the design process.”

The new laboratory is also able to carry out the more traditional tests to classify powders for flowability, bulk density and particle size distribution. A vacuum filling test is also available to enable engineers to measure the accuracy that can be achieved when filling containers such as packs or cans with the customer’s product. The lab can test a wide range of powders including those for infant formulas, coffee, muscle-building formula, or for the manufacture of sports drinks.