FILTERMAT® Spray Dryer, Type FMD-12.5

FILTERMAT® Spray Dryer, Type FMD-12.5

• For gentle drying of sticky, hygroscopic, and thermoplastic products
• Produces non-dusty, agglomerated, easy-to-use powders
• Ideal for product development purposes or production of agglomerated powders in small quantities

The new Niro spray dryer of the FILTERMAT® type is designed to meet the special needs of:

• Continuous production of agglomerated powders in small quantities, especially involving products that are difficult to dry due to their high fat content, hygroscopicity and/or thermoplasticity.
• Product development where pilot plant is required to spray dry products that can not be successfully test dried on conventional spray drying equipment.

Wheel mounted lower section withdrawn for cleaning/inspection

Examples include:

• Beverages/food flavors
• Dairy foods
• Protein foods
• Flour
• Fruit / vegetable pulps
• High-fat powder ingredients
• Natural sweeteners

Water evaporative capacity: 15-35 kg/h
Space requirements LxWxH: 7.5 x 7 x 4.5 m

Scope of Supply

• Feed system: Various layouts available
• Atomizer: Nozzle unit
• Process air system:
  • Inlet air filters
  • Inlet air heaters (electric/steam)
  • Cool air system
• Drying chamber:
  • Co-current with adjustable
  • air distributing system
• Conveyor housing:
  • Upper section
    • Drying / cooling chambers
  • Lower section:
    • Wheel mounted, removable
    • Exhaust air plenum
    • Belt unit with adjustable drive
    • powder collection
    • pneumatic belt cleaning system
• Exhaust fan and air filter
• Control panel

Options

• Dry powder dosing system
• CIP wet cleaning system
• Jet air wall sweep system for drying chamber

Process Description

First drying stage

The feed liquid is pumped to a nozzle atomizer and sprayed downwards into drying air, entering through the roof air disperser. The combined atomizer and air disperser operation creates an air flow pattern in the cylindrical drying chamber, directing the particles downward onto a conveying belt made of a special fabric composition.

Second drying stage

Semi-dried product accumulates on the belt as an agglomerated, porous powder layer. Drying air passes through the powder layer and belt, continuing to dry the powder during conveying.

Third drying stage

Drying is completed in the first conveyor chamber using warm air.

Cooling stage

Powder conditioning takes place in the second conveyor chamber using ambient or dehumidified cooled air.

After completion of drying and cooling, powder falls from the belt into a collection system. As the drying air flows through both powder and belt, only a very small amount of fines leave with the exhaust air. A filter is used for final air cleaning.

The FILTERMAT® spray dryer is equipped with continuous pneumatic dry cleaning of the belt, but is also prepared for installation of a CIP system for final wet cleaning.