A Sensitivity Study on CFD Modeling of Cocurrent Spray-Drying Process

Abstract

This article presents CFD modeling of drying process in a cocurrent spray dryer. Initial parameters of discrete and continuous phase were determined experimentally and used in the model. The theoretical results were compared with experimental data and sensitivity of the simulation results to the selected parameters was determined. Results show that the applied gas turbulence model, drying kinetics, effect of atomizing air, and turbulent particle dispersion are crucial parameters that control accuracy of the CFD modeling.

Keywords:

• Experimental initial parameters
• Discrete phase behavior
• Simulation errors

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This study was carried out as part of the research project entitled “Drying and Degradation Kinetics of Heat Sensitive Products in Spray Drying,” sponsored by the International Fine Particle Institute in 1998/2001 (Project No. ARR 35) and Polish Committee for Scientific Research (Project No. 3T09C 048 18).