GEA Niro's development of the COMPACT DRYER™ was natural in the attempt to improve the drying economy and keep the dryers running for a longer time between cleaning. The limiting factor in the conventional spray dryer is the maximum moisture content of 5-6 % in the powder, when it is discharged from the drying chamber. Higher moisture content will result in powder deposits in the chamber and especially on the air exhaust duct, protruding into the drying chamber and obstructing the rotating air stream.
All flowsheets are available for download in the Animation Download area.
By cutting the lower part of the drying chamber cone off and replacing it with an annular ring-formed plug-flow fluid bed a lot of advantages are achieved:
- First and foremost the moisture content in the powder from the chamber can be as high as 8-10 %, which means that the dryer efficiency is improved significantly. This means less drying air is needed per kilo of powder
- The powder discharge point from the integrated fluid bed into the VIBRO-FLUIDIZER™ is situated higher than in the conventional spray drying plant. The total height of the plant is therefore reduced. This together with the first statement means a very COMPACT installation
- There are no horizontal exhaust air ducts inside the chamber, where powder deposits can occur
COMPACT DRYER™ equipment
The COMPACT DRYER™ can be equipped with a rotary atomizer and/or nozzles, adding to the flexibility. The exhaust air from the chamber, the ring-formed fluid bed and the VIBRO-FLUIDIZER™ is passed through cyclones and/or bag filters . All powder particles separated from the air are returned to the VIBRO-FLUIDIZER™ for regular powders, or to the specially designed "FRAD" fines return unit for production of agglomerated powders.
On request, the plant can be designed and delivered for a full manual and/or automatic CIP Cleaning In Place including CIP Kitchen with tanks, pumps, valves and instrumentation.
The COMPACT 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.