Dynamics of spray dryer

Abstract

This work aims at mathematical modeling of spray dryer for drying the milk. This spray dryer is a pilot plant designed and implemented for an educational institute. Drying process has gained importance in making powder form of extract of fruit juice, milk, liquid chemicals etc in large quantity. By spray drying process water activity of food product is reduced which inhibits the growth of micro-organisms. [1] Due to reduce in size cost of transportation and cost of storage is get reduced. Also quality of food product is remained for long time. In a spray drying process a liquid feedstock is dried by spraying the feed into heated air. The purpose of modeling the spray dryer is to use the model for the development and testing of control strategies to the dryer. The model is based on mass and energy equations, as well as product drying characteristics. The model describes the drying conditions in the drying chamber with regards to temperature and humidity. The product temperature relates with the moisture content of the powder. Thus temperature control of the powder ultimately controls the quality of powder.