New Atomization Nozzle for Spray Drying

Abstract

A new atomization nozzle based on ink jet technology is introduced for spray drying. Application areas are the food and dairy industry, in the first instance, because in these industries the quality demands on the final powders are high with respect to heat load, powder shape, and size distribution. The ink jet nozzles can atomize fluids with a higher viscosity than conventional spray-drying nozzles, leading to energy savings. The produced monodisperse droplets undergo less shear force in the nozzle and all droplets experience the same heat load during drying. The monodisperse droplets lead to monodisperse powder particles, a completely different product compared to conventional atomization nozzles that deliver particles with a wide spread in size and form.

The ink jet technology, the state of the development, and the integration in existing spray dryers are elucidated in this article. Advantages with respect to energy savings, emission reduction, and increased possibilities for energy recovery are discussed. Attention will be given to the quality aspects of the resulting powders.

Keywords:

• Energy saving
• Ink jet nozzle
• Monodisperse particles
• Spray drying

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Part of the experiments on pilot scale were performed at the pilot spray dryer of Royal Friesland Campina in The Netherlands.