Spray Chilling
Spray Drying is a well-known and widely established method to produce particles or microcapsules. A similar method, but with different 'thermodynamic sign' is the spray chilling or also called spray congealing. A melting is dispersed into a cold gas stream leading to a solidification of the droplets to particles, which can be separated. This process is already used in cosmetics, pharmaceutical industry and food and feed. Typical carriers are fatty acids or alcohols, waxes, stearates or polyethylene glycols.
Till now, research and process development of spray congealing methods was only possible from the pilot plant scale and up. With a new system from the laboratory instrument supplier BUCHI Labortechnik AG, it is possible for the first time to use it in the laboratory scale. The established Mini Spray Dryer B-290 has been extended in a way, that spray chilling can also easily be performed. The accessory consists of a thermo regulated feed vessel, a heater with control and a feed valve. An additional external thermostat is not required. The temperature range of the melting is between 30° and 70°C.
At low melting points, and additional air pre-cooler is required which cools the inlet air down to -5°C for a quick and efficient solidification of the droplets.
- Spray Chilling