Method of spray-drying and apparatus for spray-drying

摘要

Method of spray-drying a high-viscosity fluid, e.g. comprising a food product. The method comprises providing a nozzle plate wherein at least one nozzle is provided, said nozzle plate having an inner main surface and an outer main surface. The method comprises providing the high-viscosity fluid in a reservoir that is in fluidum connection with the at least one nozzle. The method comprises pressurizing the high-viscosity fluid in the reservoir, wherein the fluid flows, as a result of said pressurizing, towards the nozzle plate, thus creating a pressure difference over the at least one nozzle so that the fluid flows out of the at least one nozzle, thereby passing the outer main surface after passing the inner main surface. A cross-sectional area of the at least one nozzle in the inner main surface exceeds a cross-sectional area of the at least one nozzle in the outer main surface.

主权项

1. Method of spray-drying a high-viscosity fluid using a spraying device, the method comprising:
providing a nozzle plate wherein at least one nozzle is provided, said nozzle plate having an inner main surface and an outer main surface, the at least one nozzle extending through the nozzle plate from the inner main surface to the outer main surface; providing the high-viscosity fluid in a reservoir that is in fluidum connection with the at least one nozzle; pressurizing the high-viscosity fluid in the reservoir, wherein the fluid flows, as a result of said pressurizing, towards the nozzle plate, thus creating a pressure difference over the at least one nozzle so that the fluid flows out of the at least one nozzle, thereby passing the outer main surface after passing the inner main surface; wherein the fluid flowing out of the nozzle forms a jet that breaks up into droplets; and at least partially drying the droplets in a drying medium, to become particles; wherein a cross-sectional area of the at least one nozzle in the inner main surface exceeds a cross-sectional area of the at least one nozzle in the outer main surface thereby decreasing a pressure difference over the at least one nozzle needed for spraying the high-viscosity fluid, and wherein an area ratio, being equal to the cross-sectional area of the at least one nozzle in the inner main surface divided by the cross-sectional area of the at least one nozzle in the outer main surface, is at least five.