Customisable Non-charging Material for Electrostatic Mitigation in Powder Processing
Fouling is the accumulation of undesired materials on solid surfaces. In powder processing, fouling is a serious and common issue. This is caused by powder adhesion on processing surfaces, leading to clogging and disruption. Most of the time, powder adhesion is due to triboelectric charging. Electrostatically charged powder adheres to surfaces, accumulating and eventually leading to blockage of channels (e.g., transfer pipes, etc.). When fouling occurs, companies are forced to pause production lines for cleaning and unclogging which leads to productivity losses, energy costs, and manpower expenses. In addition, electrostatic fouling issues have been reported from electronic, plastic and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries as well.
This technology is a customisable polymer coating that reduces the amount of static charge generated when a material contacts the coated surface. By reducing the formation of electrostatic charge, adhesion of materials is reduced, and thus the fouling issue is mitigated as well. The technology provider has currently developed prototypes that have helped solve static charge related issues in pharmaceutical, electronics, food and biomedical research industries respectively.