(758f) Process Scale-Up From Drying of a Single Drop to Production Scale Spray Dryer Using Levitated Single Droplet Analysis (DKA) and Computation Fluid Dynamics (CFD) | AIChE

(758f) Process Scale-Up From Drying of a Single Drop to Production Scale Spray Dryer Using Levitated Single Droplet Analysis (DKA) and Computation Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Authors 

Walter, M. - Presenter, GEA Process Engineering Inc.



Process Scale-Up from Drying of a Single Drop to Production Scale
Spray Dryer Using Levitated Single Droplet Analysis (DKA) and Computation Fluid
Dynamics (CFD)

Since its recent introduction, the single droplet analyzer
(DKA - Digital Kinetics Analyzer) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has
allowed optimization of spray dryer design. 
Prior to utilizing DKA combined with CFD, one would have to theorize how
a powder would behave during drying under various conditions and design the
spray dryer accordingly.   New
Computational Fluid Dynamics modeling power combined with a novel means to
examine in detail how a single drop of feed dries has allowed spray dryers to
be more efficient, safer, smaller, of higher capacity, and with fewer
operational headaches than in the past.

In addition to improvements in spray dryer design, DKA
allows us to examine how individual particles dry and how different drying
parameters affect the dried product. 
This allows the spray dryer to produce a ?custom particle? through
adjustment of spray drying parameters determined by DKA.   For example, some might want a strong
particle not easily damaged during transport; others might require a
lightweight powder that dissolves easily. 
Use of DKA can determine if a given feed will dry into hollow spheres,
shriveled particles, ?doughnut? shapes, etc. while providing insight into
design of drying equipment and process parameters for attaining a certain type
of particle.