Harnessing the power of electrostatics
Electrostatic technology has been widely used in some manufacturing sectors for several decades, but its application within the food and pharmaceutical industries is a relatively new phenomenon.
SAS’s electrostatic spray equipment is designed specifically to fill that gap and is most commonly used in powder, oil and slurry system applications.
Until recently, most manufacturers have applied flavourings and coatings to products in a large tumbling drum, but the method is largely inefficient because of poor coverage and high powder wastage.
Click here to enlarge image below
SAS’s solution resolves these problems thanks to its unique harnessing of the power of electrostatics and its equipment can be either retrofitted onto existing production lines or purchased as a complete new unit.
The technique works by applying a static charge to the powder, oil or slurry as it is being sprayed onto the base product, such as snacks, chewing gum or tablets. As the flavourings and coatings become ‘negatively’ charged, they adhere automatically to the ‘positive’ base product, creating a true wraparound effect.
The system provides pinpoint accuracy for applications and, depending on the quantities of products manufactured, SAS estimates companies will see a return on investment within around four months in terms of savings alone – mainly through less wastage and greater energy efficiency.
Table: the electrostatic process compared to other technologies
| Scarf Feeder | Paddle | Argur | Spinning Disc | Electrostatic | |
| Powder Saving | 10% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 10–45% |
| % Coverage | 75% | 75% | 40% | 40% | 100% |
| Drop Off | 60% | 60% | 65% | 60% | 5% |
| Line Contamination | 75% | 80% | 70% | 90% | 20% |
| Packer Contamination | 75% | 80% | 70% | 90% | 20% |
| Drum Contamination | 60% | 75% | 75% | 90% | 15% |
| Payback | 2 Years | 2 Years | 3 Years | 2 Years | 3 Months |
Not only does the process dramatically cut excess use of expensive powders, oil and slurry, but it vastly improves product coverage and consistency.
And, in today’s health conscious environment where levels of oils and fats need to be tightly controlled, the pinpoint accuracy of the system ensures that manufacturers know exactly how much they are using. Recently, SAS launched a new automated electrostatic control panel which can register and store precise air flow application figures for up to 100 different powders at any one time.
Powder contamination and misting on and around the production line is kept to an absolute minimum, resulting in a cleaner working environment for employees and less downtime for cleaning and flavour changes.
SAS’s electrostatic equipment will work with all common types of pump and screw feeders and products can be configured to apply both oil and dry spice simultaneously from the same control panel.
For full details see the products page.
Download our What is Electrostatics factsheet
