6 Kek Sifting Processes for the Powder Industry
6 Kek Sifting Processes for the Powder Industry
Centrifugal sifting or screening is a simple technique for separating particles of different sizes through tiny holes in a screen. Coarse particles are separated or broken up by centrifugal force against one-another and the screen openings. The use of a screen or mesh to separate and classify materials is one of the oldest known processing techniques. These methods can be subdivided into six main categories.
Policing
Policing or check sifting of both bulk products and minor ingredients to remove extraneous material such as string, packaging, insects and other unwanted items. This process is also often used to remove hard lumps of agglomerated product before production.
Scalping
This process helps protect processing or packaging equipment by removing small quantities of oversize that exceed the maximum feedstock specifications. Oversize typically constitutes less than 5% of the total feed.
Classification
The separation of a stream of product into two fractions, both of which form a significant proportion of the infeed material. The majority of the applications are carried out within a range of screen apertures between 10 mm and 75 microns. Often one or more sifters are used to separate the product before production.
De-Dusting
Or the removal of fines that have been generated during the processing and handling that will otherwise spoil the appearance of a packed product or cause a problem during subsequent processing.
Conditioning
Centrifugal Sifters are an excellent means to enliven stored product to give it a more uniform density and to make it flow easier.
De-Agglomerating
The positive action of centrifugal sifters ensures that all but the hardest agglomerates of an otherwise perfectly good product are recovered.
How the Kek Centrifugal Sifter Works
The Kek Centrifugal Sifter contains a stationary cylindrical screen (4); the feed product is introduced through one end of the cylinder (1). The centrifugal force between the screen and process material is achieved via a paddle assembly (5) that rotates inside the screen. Because of the centrifugal force, the Kek Sifter offers an excellent distribution of material over the screen surface coupled with an extremely high frequency of particle to screen contact. It also provides a significantly higher throughput in relation to screen area when compared to flat bed screening methods. Furthermore, the Kek Centrifugal Sifter obtains higher separation efficiency between the oversize and fine product because of the large classification forces applied to the product.
The Kek Centrifugal Sifter is ideal for the following applications:
Food Industry
- Flour sifting – Read More
- Ingredient check sifting – Read More
- Dairy powder sifting
- Bakery mix de-lumping and final dressing – Read More
- Dehydrated products – Read More
- Product recovery – Read More
Chemical Industry
- General fine powder classification
- Nylon flock deagglomeration
- Powder deagglomeration
- Powder Paint check sieving – Read More
- Plastic powders and resins
Pharmaceutical Industry
- Check sieving of bulk pharmaceuticals
- Classification of active pharmaceutical ingredients
Kek Centrifugal Sifters are available in 7 sizes, from a few lbs/hr (lab size) to 100 tph. Screens are available in nylon, stainless steel woven wire and wedge wire.
The Kek Centrifugal Sifter features a cantilever shaft with oversize end bearings and seals. This design allows for easy access to the screening media for cleaning and maintenance.
