The food sector recognizes the value of spray drying, and demand is growing in proportion. How would you select a spray dryer that is appropriate for your food type as a spray dryer supplier? In the food industry, different types of dryers with varying drying stages have various roles. For example, producers use various types of dryers to preserve fruit and vegetable juices in powder form, each with its unique characteristics to meet their demands. Inappropriate usage can damage the product’s physiochemical and microstructural properties.

 

Several variables must be considered when choosing a spray dryer. The simplicity of use, setup, and cleaning needs are all key considerations when buying a spray dryer. The functional element should be investigated once the fundamentals have been addressed. It is preferable to use equipment that is simple to use, modify, and generate optimal conditions. The following are the primary controls that the instrument should provide:

 

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1. Airflow, temperature, and pump speed are all within your control.
2. The volume should be the same as the air compressor pressure.
3. The quantity of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) needed for development.
4. The API’s sturdiness and functionality
5. The necessary amount of dry mix formulation
6. The solid content of the active and the amount of encapsulant will determine the overall batch size.
7. The sort of drying gas required will be determined by the solvent used to make up the emulsion, which might be air or nitrogen.

How to maintain your Industrial Spray Dryer?

 

Optimization-

There are three common methods for optimizing the spray dryer. Initially, adjust the inlet, exit, and feed temperatures to enhance the quality and yield of the final product. Second, optimization is necessary to avoid production losses, such as those caused by Clean in Place (CIP). In winter, higher ambient moisture makes spray dryers more effective. A study in Trends in Food Science & Technology validated the response surface approach for optimizing spray drying conditions.

Enhancing your abilities-

Operators gauge the spray dryer’s capacity by measuring water evaporation when loading the wet product.For optimum evaporation, the temperature differential between the input and exit needs to be increased.

CIP nozzle valve’s retractable design-

They do not function at extremely high intake temperatures, even though higher inlet temperatures improve energy efficiency. Because a particular output temperature might cause build-up in spray dryer vessels. Additionally, the product should not undergo denaturation, burning, or loss of nutrients or desirable properties.

Improved run time-

A good optimum production should operate on a well-planned schedule with very little or no unexpected downtime. You need to clean a feed system regularly when frequently swapping it between products and batches. However, spray drying for allergens and cleaning between allergen production batches should be closely monitored.

Spray dryers with two feeds that run at full capacity have just become available, making them ideal for automized nozzle systems. You can create an atomizer using either a rotary or nozzle, and switch to another nozzle if one feed system is shut off.

Cleaning in place-

For the reasons listed below, perform planned cleaning daily or between batches.

• To avert a fire or explosion due to a build-up of too much material.
• Cross-contamination and quality issues will arise as a result of the excessive buildup.
• In order to keep the chamber free of microbial development.
• To get rid of any maintenance difficulties that aren’t really essential.

Ambient conditions-

As previously stated, seasonal fluctuation has a significant impact on the spray dryer’s effectiveness. As a result, it’s critical to standardize the entering air for year-round productivity. The total moisture in the air as it exits the chamber limits the dryer’s capacity. While manufacturing a stable product, ensure that the air exiting the chamber is not excessively humid, as it could lead to undesirable outcomes. Additionally, operate the chamber at the highest achievable overall moisture level for optimal effectiveness. As stated in the introduction, intake, and outlet temperatures, as well as other parameters, should be adjusted for theoretical maximum production, even during seasonal fluctuations.

Using a few components, it can be controlled. Measure the ambient air moisture content and air volume initially with a hygrometer. The spray dryer, which operates on natural gas or propane with a direct-fired gas burner, can contribute up to 10% of moisture. Determine the total volume of evaporated water contribution. Use a flowmeter to account for mechanical inefficiency and slippage, ensuring better accuracy. Finally, all operational data must be gathered in order to fully comprehend the machine, determine if it is running at peak efficiency, and determine if the product yield is comparable to theoretical values. Food Research Lab provides food consulting services to help you utilize the finest industrial spray dryer available.