Spray cooling or spray congealing is defined as a melt transition from soft or fluid state to a rigid or solid powder form. The atomization and air distribution technology that is applied in the spray drying process is also used in spray coolers. Consequently, GEA Niro has substantial knowledge also about spray cooling.
GEA Niro delivers spray cooling plants for several industries:
The Food industry:
- Encapsulated materials
- Fats
- Glycerides
The Chemical industry:
- Hydrates
- Inorganic/organic melts
- Quaternary ammonium compounds
- Stearic acid/stearates
- Waxes
Particle size
Depending on particle size requirements of the final spray cooled product, different atomization methods of the melt can be chosen:
- Fine particle products with a mean particle size of 50-150 micron are spray cooled using a high speed rotary atomizer or high pressure nozzles, both in co-current mode
- Coarse particle products up to 500 microns and melts that solidify slowly are spray cooled using a fountain nozzle in a counter-current mode
- Extra coarse particles from 500 to 2000 microns are called prills. Atomization is done using a low-speed rotary atomizer with a specially designed prilling wheel in a spray cooling chamber with a large diameter
If you are in doubt about the drying conditions of your particular product, our well-equipped Test Centers with more than 75 pilot plants and our highly qualified test engineers are at your disposal for testing your product.
Flexibility
GEA Niro’s spray cooling plants are very flexible and cost efficient solutions with regards to both investment and operation. They are designed to meet the requirements of customers and their local authorities and as such are available in:
- Open, environmentally friendly plants with effective bag filters ensuring emission of clean exhaust process air
- A closed cycle concept with a nitrogen purged process gas circuit
Safety aspects
All plants designed and supplied by GEA Niro will enable the end user to obtain approvals put forward by the EU directive.