Agglomerates & Agglomerated Powders

FILTERMAT® Spray Dryer

From Liquid Feeds

Spray Drying Agglomeration

Agglomerates & Agglomerated powders are produced by using multistage processing in spray dryers featuring

• external vibrating fluid beds
• internal fluid beds
• internal moving belts

In such processing, the first stage of drying takes place in the drying chamber, but here the drying is only partially completed. Moist powder therefore passes to the second stage fluid bed and/or belt sections of the dryer, where particles bind together to form porous agglomerates. The size and structure of the agglomerates are controlled by selection of the spray dryer operating temperatures.

From Powder Feeds

Rewet Agglomeration

Rewet agglomerator

Powders are wetted by steam or a fine spray mist in an agglomerating chamber that can also contain a rotating disc to further condition and stabilizethe agglomerates produced. Post-drying of agglomerates is carried out in a vibrating fluid bed, followed by size classification. The undersized particulates are returned to the agglomeration zone. Control of the wetting rate and subsequent drying determines the final agglomerate size: Lower range 500 microns mean size, higher range 2000 microns mean size.

Fluidized Spray Dryer (FSD™)

Agglomerates / Agglomerated Powders

Fluid Bed Agglomeration

Fluid Bed Agglomerator

Fluid bed technology is used. Powder is fluidized with hot air and sprayed simultaneously with a binder liquid. This process causes particle adhesion, agglomerate formation and drying, and is applicable to both batch and continuous operation. Control of air velocity and wetting rate determines the final agglomeration size. The process produces agglomerates of narrow size distribution: Lower range 100 microns mean size, upper range 1000 microns mean size.

Inquiries outside North America and more information on Agglomerates & Agglomerated Powders