Apparatus for agglomerating powder, specifically coffee, has rotating drum against which powder, with steam and water, is projected through atomising nozzle; agglomerated powder is dried in fluid bed; fines are recirculated

摘要

Process for agglomeration of powder by bringing the powder into contact with an agglomeration fluid while being directed towards a moving surface onto which the powder is collected and subsequently discharged by centrifugal force, while optionally being dried; all parts of the moving surface are moving at the same speed; the centrifugal acceleration of the powder is at least 50m/s2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for an apparatus (1) with moving surface (4) for collecting powder (5); means (3) for applying agglomeration fluids (8,9); means (13,16) for drying agglomerated powder. Preferred Features: - The centrifugal acceleration is (a) 50 to 5000m/s2; (b) 100 to 2500m/s2; 200 to 1250m/s2. The speed of the moving surface is (a) 2.5m/s; (b) 3.5m/s; (c) 5.0m/s. The moving surface is impervious to fluids. The moving surface is a rotating drum or cylinder. The diameter of the drum is 0.25 to 1.5m, preferably 0.35 to 1.0m. The drum rotates at 80 to 2000rpm, preferably 100 to 1000rpm. The agglomerated powder is classified; fines are recirculated. The powder is coffee or coffee substitute. Tube (10) and atomising nozzle (11) introduce agglomeration fluids and optionally atomising gas centrally in annular opening of tube (7) through which powder is introduced. The atomising nozzle is a two fluid nozzle for atomisation of liquid with gas. The atomising nozzle extends beyond annular opening. The nozzle discharges at 0.1 to 1.0m from drum surface. The distance between nozzle and drum is adjustable. Speed of drum is adjustable. Agglomerated powder is post-dried and cooled in fluid bed (16) with conveyor belt (17).