Conical mills offer a versatile and efficient solution for grinding processes in the pharmaceutical, food, chemical and related industries. Compared to traditional methods, this technology offers numerous advantages: increased productivity, a more uniform particle size distribution, and simplified cleaning and maintenance. In addition, there are reduced levels of noise, heat and dust generation, resulting in a more controlled and safer working environment.

Thanks to their flexibility, conical mills are suitable for a wide range of applications and ensure full process scalability, from the laboratory through to pilot plants and large-scale production.

In addition to the most common applications — such as drum milling, dry milling, wet milling and isotechnic processes — Hanningfield mills stand out for their innovative features, which make them a unique choice among the solutions available on the market.

Hanningfield mills: what makes them unique

High containment

The mill can be designed as a closed system, either by incorporating containment systems or by housing it within a glove box. This protects the operator from exposure to harmful or toxic compounds. It can also be beneficial in applications where product integrity is critical, preventing contamination from the operator or the environment.

Inerting with N₂

Nitrogen can be used as a safety measure when handling explosive powders. N₂ is introduced into the mill chamber to displace the oxygen, creating an inert atmosphere and eliminating the risk of explosions. Nitrogen inerting can also be used to preserve the integrity of the material, for example in cases where the product must not be exposed to oxygen.

WIP / CIP

Spray balls can be used to speed up the cleaning process and help ensure operator safety. The WIP system can be used for initial cleaning and to remove airborne dust during disassembly (although a final offline clean is still required). The CIP system, on the other hand, enables validated in-line cleaning of all internal parts, allowing for an immediate batch change after drying.

Cryogenic grinding

Liquid nitrogen can be used to address challenges associated with temperature-sensitive applications. LN₂ allows a very low, controlled temperature to be maintained inside the grinding chamber, down to -195°C (-320°F). It can also be used for the rapid freezing of materials prior to grinding: a process that is particularly useful for making materials such as polymers, which are characterised by a certain degree of elasticity, more brittle.

ATEX

Hanningfield mills can be supplied for use in the most demanding hazardous environments, with certifications for dust zones (up to ATEX 1D / Zone 20) and gas/vapour zones (up to ATEX 1G / Zone 0). As part of its Quality Assurance Declaration, Hanningfield is subject to inspections in accordance with the standards for equipment, protective systems or components intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

Why choose Hanningfield's conical mills?

✅ High performance and consistent product quality
✅ Maximum safety for operators and materials
✅ Flexible and fully scalable solutions
✅ Quick and efficient cleaning with WIP/CIP systems
✅ Safe operation even in ATEX environments
✅ Ideal for sensitive materials thanks to inerting and cryogenic treatment
✅ Reduction in noise, dust and heat

Reliability, security and innovation: all in one solution