Predicting collision outcomes of partially-dried droplets in spray drying

Predicting collision outcomes of partially-dried droplets in spray drying

Sewalt, E.J.G. (TU Delft ChemE/Product and Process Engineering)

van Ommen, J.R. (promotor)
van Steijn, V. (promotor)
Meesters, G.M.H. (copromotor)

Delft University of Technology

2024-05-02

Evaporating solute-containing droplets tend to temporarily become sticky as they transition from wet droplets to dry particles. Stickiness plays a crucial role in promoting beneficial powder properties through agglomeration but also in potential fouling of drying equipment. Spray drying, a processing technology turning a swarm of droplets into powder, is particularly susceptible to stickiness. Therefore, it is desirable to predict when a droplet becomes sticky. However, predicting the drying and collision behavior of droplets in spray drying is challenging due to multiple factors: transient drying dynamics, intra-droplet solute redistribution, morphological changes, and varying impact velocities.

This dissertation unravels the intricate behavior of partially dried droplets in spray drying scenarios. The primary goal is to understand how their collision outcomes vary with varying degrees of drying. A key aspect is developing predictive strategies for these collision outcomes, considering the distinct drying patterns and internal concentration gradients within solute-containing droplets...

https://doi.org/10.4233/uuid:8204cf4d-a5fd-4e20-956c-37aba9bf3dd7

Institutional Repository

doctoral thesis

© 2024 E.J.G. Sewalt