REDESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION OF A SPRAY-DRYER USING CFD

Abstract

Since the first developments in spray drying in 1870, attempts have been made to obtain design parameters. However, experimental studies are required to design, optimize, and build spray drying equipment for specific applications. From the information reported in books, catalogs and patents,
the dimensions and operating conditions have been selected to develop the mathematical modeling of a co-current spray dryer, starting with a relatively  simple model of incompressible single-phase flow,  and then using a more complex method with multi- hase flow. The objectives of this study were to: (i) evaluate three different designs of spray-drying equipment; and (ii) select the design that provided the best flow and heat transfer characteristics. The velocity profiles, flow lines, pressure maps and temperature profiles of each design were evaluated. Based on the results obtained, a new prototype with the modification on the equipment lid was built and experimental tests were conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new design.