PolarFit™
Cryogenic
Grinding Solutions
for Efficient Size
Reduction
“At Air Products, we offer a ‘cool’
approach to size reduction. We
can help you increase throughput,
achieve uniform particle size and
distribution, and save energy.”
Jon Trembley
R&D Manager
Cryogenic Applications
At Air Products, we understand that grinding applications may differ.
The desired end result, however, is often the same­—achieving the finest
particle size and most uniform particle distribution while maximizing
production rates and minimizing overall operational costs.
Air Products can
make this happen.
You can count on our leading-edge technology,
equipment and experienced engineers to
help you efficiently grind a range of materials
from multicomponent scrap to tough composites
and heat sensitive materials.
Our PolarFit size reduction systems use the
cooling power of liquid nitrogen to remove
heat produced in the grinding process, allowing
you to achieve finer, more consistent
particle size distribution and higher throughputs
for a wide range of products. With our
systems, you may be able to grind the toughest
of materials to particle sizes as small as
10 microns.
Cellulose Nitrate Silicone
Extruded Wire Cinnamon
Advantages
Our cryogenic specialists can help you determine
which part of your process needs to be
cooled to help achieve your goals, including particle
size and distribution, throughput, and cycle
time. PolarFit size reduction systems use liquid
nitrogen to control the temperature of your product
or mill to grind more efficiently in an inert
atmosphere. These systems offer many
benefits over conventional grinding methods.
These benefits can include:
• Higher production rates
• Improved product quality, including contained
taste and aroma
• Finer particle size and more uniform particle
distribution
• Improved separation and dispersion of
composite materials
• Lower capital investment
• Improved safety
Applications
PolarFit size reduction systems can
help you more efficiently grind materials
such as:
• Adhesives and waxes
• Carpets
• Color concentrates and pigments
• Composites
• Grains
• Pharmaceuticals
• Plastic
• Powder coatings
• Metal
• Multicomponent materials
– Chrome-plated ABS
– Uncured rubber
– Motors
– Plastic/metal laminates
– Plastic/plastic laminates
– Vinyl-coated fabric
– Wire/cable
• Rubber
• Spice and herbs
A. Nitrogen Flow Controls and Control Panel
Many polymers experience chemical and physical deterioration from
heat generated during conventional granulation or grinding. Examples
include uncured rubber, hot melts, plastic films, organic pigments and
some thermoplastic resins such as ABS. This configuration of our size
reduction system can help you eliminate the heat by injecting liquid
nitrogen into the grinding chamber. The liquid nitrogen cools the process
and stabilizes the temperature below the critical reaction point. As
the liquid nitrogen vaporizes, it leaves the chamber atmosphere purged
of oxygen and virtually inert. This minimizes oxidation and reduces the
hazard of explosion. This system has an automatic temperature control
and a low capital cost.
B. Nitrogen Flow Controls, Control Panel and
Cooling Conveyor—for Tough, Resilient Materials
Tough, resilient materials require complete embrittlement prior to
actual grinding. With this configuration of our size reduction system,
you can process materials such as rubber, shoe soles/heels, weather
stripping, urethane foam, chrome-plated ABS and vinyl-coated fabric.
The cooling conveyor transfers the feed from the hopper to the grinding
mill. Liquid nitrogen sprays onto the material as it moves along the
conveyor, resulting in a high heat transfer coefficient on the pellet surface.
This rapid cooling makes the material brittle and easier to grind
by a variety of impact-type mills.
C. Nitrogen Flow Controls, Control Panel and
Tunnel Freezer­—for Large Materials
This size reduction system configuration can help you process larger
materials such as rubber scrap, reinforced hose, electrical cable,
and paint cans. Embrittled material passes from the tunnel freezer to
an impact mill where the individual components are separated and
ground. Our tunnel cooling system can also be retrofitted to many types
of existing mills.
ABS Chrome Halogenated Butyl Rubber
Carpet Bran
Feedstock
Material
Granulator
Thermocouple
Granulated or
Powdered Product
Control
Console
Liquid Nitrogen
Tank
Automatic
Liquid Nitrogen
Control Valve
Cooling
Conveyor
Powdered
Product
Control
Console
Liquid Nitrogen
Tank
Granulated
Feed
Grinding
Mill
Gravity
Table
Liquid Nitrogen
Tank
Feed Table
Grinding
Mill
Discharge
Cryogenic Freezer
Appropriate Choice of Separation Equipment
Magnetic Air
Classification
Flotation Screener
PolarFit Size Reduction
Systems
Air Products experienced engineers can help determine
which PolarFit system is best for your operation based on
your current system, the material you process, and your
goals—whether it’s our turnkey cryogenic grinding system
or components of the system that we retrofit to your existing
equipment. Below are descriptions of the three size
reduction system configurations we offer.
A
B
C
tell me more
www.airproducts.com/cryogenics
© Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., 2011  (33725)	 331-10-001-US-JUN11
For More Information
Air Products can provide a range of solutions, from nitrogen supply to
turnkey cryogenic grinding solutions. Please contact us to better understand
how we can help you achieve your goals.
Americas, Corporate Headquarters
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
7201 Hamilton Boulevard
Allentown, PA 18195-1501
Tel 800-654-4567
Fax 800-272-4449
Email gigmrktg@airproducts.com
Asia
Air Products Asia, Inc.
1001, 10/F, Sunning Plaza
10 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay
Hong Kong
Tel 852-2527-1922
Fax 852-2527-1827
Europe
Air Products PLC
Hersham Place
Molesey Road
Walton-on-Thames
Surrey KT12 4RZ – UK
Tel +44 (0)1270 614314
Email apbulkuk@airproducts.com
Rest of World
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
7201 Hamilton Boulevard
Allentown, PA 18195-1501
Tel +1 610-706-4730
Fax +1 610-706-6890
Email gigmrktg@airproducts.com
PolarFit Technology and Service
Air Products has over thirty years of laboratory and plant experience
in cryogenic grinding. As a leader in cryogenic applications, we
offer complete technical service from our experienced staff and fully
equipped facilities. Our cryogenic specialists can work with you to
meet your product and process needs.
At our trial facilities in Allentown, Pennsylvania, we can run your product
on production-scale equipment to help determine the feasibility of
using cryogenics in your process and also help quantify the benefits
versus the cost.
Laminate Chocolate Nitrile Rubber