Spray-drying apparatus and methods of using the same

摘要

A spray-drying apparatus includes a drying chamber that has a first end, a second end, and at least one side wall extending between the first and second ends to define an interior of the drying chamber having a center axis. A nozzle can be positioned at the first end of the drying chamber and be configured to atomize liquid and spray the atomized liquid into the interior of the drying chamber at a maximum spray pattern angle relative to the center axis. A heating device can be provided to heat the liquid prior to introduction into the drying chamber.

主权项

1. A process of spray drying, comprising:
forming a plurality of droplets by atomizing a spray solution using a nozzle positioned at the first end of a drying chamber, the drying chamber further comprising a second end and at least one side wall extending between the first and second ends to define an interior of the drying chamber and having a center axis, wherein at least a portion of the at least one side wall surrounds the nozzle at the first end of the drying chamber and extends away from the center axis at a first angle relative to the center axis, the first angle being at least 5 degrees but less than 45 degrees, and wherein a ratio of the length between the first and second ends to a maximum width between opposing internal surfaces of the interior of the drying chamber is at least 5 to 1; delivering the plurality of droplets into the drying chamber; delivering drying gas into the drying chamber in substantially parallel flow to at least partially dry the plurality of droplets to form a plurality of particles; and directing the plurality of particles out of the drying chamber; wherein the spray solution is initially at a temperature T1 and is directed to a heat exchanger to increase the temperature of the spray solution to temperature T2 prior to atomization of the spray solution, wherein temperature T2 is greater than temperature T1.