Predicting collision outcomes of partially-dried droplets in spray drying

Doctoral thesis (2024)

Authors

E.J.G. Sewalt ChemE/Product and Process Engineering - AS
Research Group
ChemE/Product and Process Engineering (AS) (TU Delft)
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Published Date

2024

Language

English

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Faculty

Applied Sciences

Department

ChemE/Chemical Engineering

Research Group

ChemE/Product and Process Engineering

Abstract

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...