The TALL FORM DRYER™ from GEA Niro
The TALL FORM DRYER™ is a spray dryer with a tall slim drying chamber with top mounted nozzle assembly featuring a fines return capability.
The resulting powder is discharged into a VIBRO-FLUIDIZER™ for final drying and cooling, while the exhaust air is discharged through the enlarged lower cone section called a 'bustle'.
The TALL FORM DRYER™ is suited for both non-fat and fat-containing products, producing non-agglomerated and agglomerated free-flowing powders including whole milk, skim milk, and WPC.
The special air outlet further means that there is nothing inside the drying chamber that can obstruct the air flow, such as ducts etc. where powder might stick to. The atomization of the feed material is always done by high pressure nozzles, which form an integrated part of the air disperser. The air disperser is designed to assure a high velocity drying air stream necessary to obtain a final product with good resolubility properties.
All flowsheets are available for download in the Animation Download area.
Cyclones and bag filters
All process air is passed through cyclones and/or bag filters for separation of the entrained fines powder particles. These fines are then returned to the VIBRO-FLUIDIZER™ for regular non-agglomerated powders and/or the atomization device for production of agglomerated powders.
Advantages of the TALL FORM DRYER™
The advantage of the TALL FORM DRYER™ is the downward drying air stream in the drying chamber, since this reduces the tendency of powder deposits on the chamber wall. The specially designed chamber cone with a "bustle" air outlet reduces the amount of fines powder particles carried along with the air into the cyclone.
On request, the plant can be designed and delivered for a full manual and/or CIP Cleaning In Place including CIP Kitchen with tanks, pumps, valves and instrumentation.
The TALL FORM DRYER™ forms the key element in a complete process line for food and dairy powders.
Safety aspects
All plants designed and supplied by GEA Niro will enable the end user to obtain approvals put forward by the EU directive.
During the years, GEA Niro's TALL FORM DRYER™ has been used extensively within the Infant Formula/ Baby Food industry as well as for whey proteins. Through the years, GEA Niro has delivered more than 250 TALL FORM DRYER™ plants. The TALL FORM DRYER™ has also been used for whole milk powder, with or without the addition of sucrose.