The Many Uses of a Spray Dryer
A lab spray dryer is a versatile piece of equipment that industries use to create various products. In the simplest terms, a spray dryer takes a liquid solution and breaks it up into small droplets. These droplets are then dried using hot air, leaving behind a dry powder.
Spray drying is a quick and efficient way to preserve foods and allows for more accessible transportation and storage. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at spray drying and some food products obtained from this process.
How does Spray Drying Work?
Spray drying works by heating liquid food until it turns into a vapour. This vapour is then passed through a drying chamber, where it comes into contact with a hot air stream. It causes the vapour to turn into a dry powder instantly. The powder is then collected and packaged.
The type of equipment used in spray drying depends on the drying liquid and the desired end product. For example, some laboratory spray dryers come with atomisers that create fine droplets, while others use nozzles to produce larger droplets. The size of the droplets plays a significant role in the final product; smaller droplets result in a finer powder, while larger droplets create a coarser powder.
Products obtained through spray drying technology
1. Food Products
One of the most common uses for spray drying is in the production of food powders. People use these powders to create instant soups, coffees, and other dehydrated foods. Spray drying is also commonly used to produce baby formula and protein powders.
2. Pharmaceuticals
Another everyday use for spray drying is in the pharmaceutical industry. Pharmaceutical companies use spray dryers to create Powdered medications that are easier to store and transport than liquids and have a longer shelf life. Spray-dried pharmaceuticals are also simple to formulate into capsules or tablets.
3. Chemicals
Spray drying is also commonly used in the chemical industry. Chemicals such as dyes, pigments, and production of catalysts happen using a spray dryer. One benefit of making chemicals using spray drying is that it allows for a more controlled reaction, which results in a higher-quality product.
4. Waste Treatment
Lab spray dryer is also commonly used in waste treatment facilities. Wet waste products such as sewage sludge can be challenging to store and transport. However, if this waste is sprayed and dried, it becomes much more manageable. Dried sewage sludge helps in fertiliser production
Typical Applications for Spray Drying Across Industries
Spray drying has many applications in the food, beverage, and chemical industries. Some of the most common uses for spray drying include:
Instantiating Coffee:
Instantiation of coffee happens through a spray dryer. This process involves first brewing coffee and then spraying it with hot air to remove the water content. It leaves behind a fine powder that can rehydrate with hot water to create an instant coffee beverage.
Drying Milk:
Milk can be dried using a spray dryer to create milk powder. This happens evaporating milk's water content using condensed steam. The resulting product is then sprayed with hot air to remove any remaining water content.
Creating Infant Formula:
The creation of Infant formula is done using spray drying. First, the ingredients are mixed and heated until they form a thick syrup. This syrup is then atomised into small droplets and sprayed into a chamber exposed to hot air. The heat causes the water content to evaporate, leaving behind a fine powder that can be reconstituted with water to create infant formula.
Spraying pesticides:
Pesticides can be mixed with water and sprayed onto crops. The small droplets provide even coverage and prevent the pesticides from being blown away by the wind.
Creating Flavourings:
Flavourings such as vanilla extract come from spray drying technology. First, the flavouring solution is atomised into small droplets and sprayed into a chamber exposed to hot air. The heat causes the water content to evaporate, leaving behind a concentrated flavouring beneficial to food and beverages.
Dehydrating Fruits and Vegetables:
Fruits and vegetables can be dehydrated. This process helps preserve them while still retaining their nutritional value.
Making Pharmaceuticals:
The creation of many pharmaceuticals, such as vaccines, antibiotics, and hormones happens through spray drying.
Fruit juices:
The preservation of Fruit juices happens with the help of spray drying without chemicals or artificial ingredients. Like with coffee and tea, when you add water to reconstituted fruit juice powder, you get a delicious and healthy beverage that tastes like freshly-squeezed juice.
Meat:
Spray drying technology helps in efficient preservation of meat. This method is often used for jerky as it removes moisture while protecting the meat's flavour and nutrition.
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