Process Quality and Safety

Powder Process Auditing

The quality of intermediate and finished products is a strategic challenge across all industrial sectors. Improving quality not only enhances customer satisfaction and safeguards user health but also ensures optimal company performance and cost reduction.

As specialists in powders and related processes, POUDRES DURABLES has developed a methodology tailored to powder applications, enabling the identification and resolution of non-conformance issues within production lines.

After signing a confidentiality agreement, we work closely with you to define the scope and objectives of the audit. By analysing your data and performing additional assessments as needed, we can provide a clear overview of key factors, including :

• Raw materials
• Finished products
• Process diagrams and material flows
• Equipment
• Storage and production conditions
• Analyses and results
• Procedures and protocols

The audit findings will highlight improvement opportunities for your production line, along with investment evaluations and potential return on investment (ROI).

Real-Time Measurement

Online and real-time measurement allows a high level of process monitoring to better control product quality. The acquisition of real-time measurement data allows :

1. In-depth knowledge of the process
2. A more robust process
3. A reduction in non-conformities and scrap
4. Optimisation of the production line

POUDRES DURABLES supports your online measurement projects, from selecting the appropriate measurement technology to configuring and implementing the system at your site.
We adapt to your constraints and goals, regardless of your process—be it grinding, micronisation, separation, mixing, granulation, or drying.

POUDRES DURABLES can leverage its expertise in industrial gases to preserve the quality of your product throughout its processing.

The use of liquid nitrogen or nitrogen gas offers solutions against product degradation and oxidation :

• Nitrogen gas : Inert the product (protecting against oxidation and moisture) during operations such as grinding, mixing, etc.
• Liquid nitrogen : Preserves the product from thermal degradation by cooling the product with a spray of liquid nitrogen before grinding (cryogrinding).

Furthermore, liquid nitrogen enhances the fragmentation of materials, making them more brittle, which typically leads to better grinding efficiency.

Depending on your product, its sensitivity, and your processes, we can help you make the most of cryogenic fluid applications.

Reducing Dust Exposure

In production environments dealing with powders, dust is emitted during processes such as transfer, weighing, crushing, grinding, sieving, mixing, drying, packaging, and cleaning.

These dust particles range from a few tens of nanometres to 100 microns in size. Depending on their size, they can be inhaled by workers and may enter the respiratory system, potentially causing harmful health effects. They can also pose risks through skin contact or ingestion, depending on their physical and chemical properties.

With over 20 years of experience in powder processes and handling, POUDRES DURABLES can assist you in implementing a prevention approach :

• Identification of sources of exposure
• Risk assessment
• Reducing of exposure through collective protection measures, technical or organisational solutions
• Additional hygiene measures
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of actions

Explosion prevention

All combustible dusts are likely to cause an explosion, with often devastating consequences. Companies that handle pulverulent products therefore face a risk of ignition and dust explosion.

POUDRES DURABLES addresses this concern in every project.

Prevention requires knowledge of the explosive characteristics of powdery materials (Minimum ignition energy, Minimum ignition temperature, Kst, Pmax), definition of areas exposed to explosion hazard, control of the formation of the explosive atmosphere (ATEX), control of ignition sources, effective use of dust removal, use of ATEX material.

After signing a confidentiality agreement, we will discuss your product, operations, and economic constraints. We will study your data and conduct any necessary additional analyses. Based on our knowledge, we can propose modifications to your process diagram, focusing on :

• Processes and materials
• ATEX strategies
• Inerting techniques and associated costs

Designing and Setting Up a "Nano" Room

Nanomaterials possess unique properties, such as increased reactivity, mechanical strength, and optical properties, which allow innovations in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, healthcare, electronics, construction, and energy.

However, due to their increased reactivity and very small size, nanomaterials can be potentially toxic to the human body. Their production and handling must follow specific conditions to minimize exposure to personnel and prevent environmental contamination.

Setting up a dedicated nanomaterials room can be complex, requiring adherence to best practices and coordination with multiple contractors.

POUDRES DURABLES can support you in your project by sharing its experience and offering a global management of the various aspects of design and layout, including :

• Surfaces : floors, walls, closures
• Air management : air treatment with filtration and air conditioning
• Workstations with collective protection
• Production, transfer, and analysis equipment
• Organization of personnel, material, and waste flows
• Technical access and storage zones

We can coordinate with various subcontractors to establish common data and move the project forward, taking into account safety, logistical, and economic constraints.