A fluidizer is a piece of equipment that converts a powder into a liquid state. This process makes the powder easier to apply and ensures an even application.
It can also help keep powders from overfilling and clogging guns, hoppers, and pick-up tubes. It can muck up powder coating applications and inter-coat adhesion, so it is essential to know what a fluidizer does and how to use it effectively.
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What Is a Fluidizer?
A fluidizer is a piece of equipment that allows a powder to turn from a solid state to a liquid form. It can help powder coating companies run their operations smoother and make it easier to apply the powder.
A solid particle can be fluidized by a gas (either liquid or air) that is circulated through it. It can be done to produce various end products or for other purposes.
In many applications, the particles can be physically or chemically altered while fluidized, for example, by drying, roasting, or combusting them. These processes are often called fluidized catalytic processes.
Other fluidization types exist, such as stationary or particulate fluidized beds. Fixed beds use gas at low velocities to fluidize the solids, while particulate systems use the same method but add mechanical vibration. It causes the particles to become entrained in the gas and creates a stable expansion interval predicted by linear stability theory.
What Can a Fluidizer Do?
A fluidizer is a piece of equipment that can help your business in various ways. It can assist in ratholing and bridging powder, ensure proper stratification, and improve material flow.
It can also assist in drying, cooling, and dusting powders or agglomerate products. Generally, it can be found in flat or conical silos or hoppers and can be used to aid in the delivery of dry powdered products.
The primary function of a fluidized bed is to transform solid particles into a fluid, similar to how water changes its density in a bucket. This behavior change can help with various industrial processes, from polymer manufacture to petroleum refining and combustion.
In most fluidization processes, gas is blown through a bed of particles with sufficient force to cause them to rise and move around inside their container. This mix of particles and gas provides an excellent medium for heat transfer or mass transfer from the gas to the particles and vice versa.
How Does a Fluidizer Work?
A fluidizer is used in powder coating applications to ensure the powder is appropriately fluidized. Allows the powder to coat a part evenly and smoothly without drips or issues.
For example, if you use a powder to coat a pipe fitting or a dishwasher basket, it’s necessary to fluidize the powder so that it sticks and melts onto the part. The powder can then be cured after being exposed to heat and air.
If the powder isn’t appropriately fluidized, applying it can be challenging. It can lead to poor application, streaks, and paint film.
A fluidizer can help you run smoother powder applications, saving you time and money on cleaning equipment. Plus, it prevents you from breaking your equipment and incurring high repair costs.
Why Choose a Fluidizer?
Regarding powder coating, fluidizing is a crucial part of your application process. It allows the spray gun to apply powder more evenly and smoothly. It also helps prevent thick film builds that can cause sagging, orange peel, and discoloration of clear coats.
Fluidizers can be used on very light powders but are ineffective for heavier powders such as hygroscopic materials or powders with high oil and fat content.
These fluidizers enable a uniform flow of most dry bulk materials through aeration and hopper wall vibration that helps prevent bridging, rat holing, and compacting.
In addition, fluidizing solid particles with gas flow creates heterogeneous fluidization that can be fine-tuned for a range of bed conditions from smooth to turbulent.
