Thermodynamic and exergoeconomic analyses of two-stage spray drying plant for skim milk powder production

Abstract

Spray drying of milk is a highly energy intensive process. In this study, thermodynamic and exergoeconomic analyses of two-stage spray drying plant have been executed. This plant was analyzed on the basis of various parameters such as energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, energy improvement potential, exergy improvement potential, etc. The energy and exergy efficiency of the plant were 72.90 and 35.15%, respectively. The maximum energy improvement potential was for drying whereas maximum exergy improvement potential was for homogenizer. It indicates huge scope in the technical improvement for drying chamber and homogenizer of the plant. The highest cost of processing was for cyclone separator (percentage relative cost difference: 44%) followed by drying chamber (percentage relative cost difference: 40.71%). Highest energy destroyed was calculated for drying chamber (195.83 kJ/kg) followed by VFBD (87.62 kJ/kg). Lowest energy efficiency was calculated for VFBD (34.64%) followed by drying chamber (50.04%). Highest energy improvement potential was estimated for drying chamber (97.86 kJ/kg). Highest relative energy destruction ratio was calculated for drying chamber (52.04%) followed by VFBD (23.30%). Highest energetic factor was calculated for drying chamber (28.22%) followed by homogenizer (16.71%). Based on these analyses, it was realized that performance of the spray drying plant may be substantially improved by some design improvement of drying chamber and homogenizer only.

Keywords:

• Spray drying plant
• thermodynamic analyses
• exergoeconomic analyses
• energy efficiency
• exergy efficiency
• skim milk powder

Acknowledgements

The first author acknowledges the ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal for research support through fellowship. All the infrastructural support from ICAR-NDRI, Karnal is gratefully acknowledged.

Disclosure Statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. The authors have no competing interests to declare.