| 摘要 |
Systems and methods for processing a high-lactose aqueous fluid (HLAF)(3), such as permeate from ultrafiltration of whey fluid, are described. The preferred process includes concentrating HLAF (3) containing from about 1 to about 35% solids, wherein at least 50% of the solids are lactose, to form a concentrated HLAF (3) containing from about 45 to about 65% solids; further concentrating the HLAF (3) to form a highly concentrated HLAF (3) containing from about 70 to about 80% solids; cooling the highly concentrated HLAF (3) with a gaseous fluid to create a cooling, concentrating, crystallizing casca de to further concentrate the HLAF (3) to form a partially crystallized HLAF (3 ) containing from about 78 to about 88% solids; and drying the partially crystallized HLAF (3) in an air-lift dryer (24) to form a product rich in crystalling alpha-lactose monohydrate. An air-lift dryer (24) having divergi ng sidewalls (32) and methods of using same are also disclosed.
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