Open AccessParticle size control of detergents in mixed flow spray dryers
Author(s) -
Crosby Mark Jonathan,
Martin De Juan Luis,
Martin Elaine,
Montague Gary
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the journal of engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2051-3305
DOI - 10.1049/joe.2014.0250
Subject(s) - particle size , slurry , cascade , particle (ecology) , materials science , volumetric flow rate , consistency (knowledge bases) , process engineering , mass flow rate , particle size distribution , mechanics , mathematics , chromatography , composite material , chemical engineering , chemistry , physics , engineering , oceanography , geometry , geology
Particle size is a key quality parameter of a powder detergent as it determines its performance, the bulk density and the look and feel of the product. Consequently, it is essential that particle size is controlled to ensure the consistency of performance when comparing new formulations. The majority of study reported in the literature relating to particle size control, focuses on the spray produced by the atomisation technique. One approach advocated to achieve particle size control is the manipulation of the ratio of the mass slurry rate and mass flow rate of gas used for atomisation. Within this study, ratio control was compared with an automatic cascade loop approach using online measurements of the powder particle size on a small‐scale pilot plant. It was concluded that cascade control of the mean particle size, based on manipulating the mass flow rate of gas, resulted in tighter, more responsive control. The effect of a ratio change varied with different formulations and different slurry rates. Furthermore, changes in slurry rate caused complications, as the impact on particle size growth in the dryer is non‐linear and difficult to predict. The cascade loop enables further study into the effect of particle size on detergent performance.