Several processes.
ONE process step only.
Perfect solubility.
Targeted control of product properties.
Proteins are a common ingredient in powder mixes for sports drinks and other protein drinks. Isolating them from complex animal or vegetable sources and then preserving them by drying in a spray tower produces a fine powder with low solubility. Dry your solution in one step to perfectly soluble agglomerates with our fluidized bed technology.
Several processes in one step for improved solubility of proteins
The combination of our processes such as spray granulation and spray agglomeration in just one fluidized bed apparatus offers maximum flexibility for influencing product properties. In the first zone of the apparatus, liquid droplets dry to form powder particles, similar to the drying process in the spray tower. This initial layer is built up into granules in the other zones by spraying. Spray droplets hit the particles several times and spread across the surface. The moisture in these droplets does not evaporate abruptly, but only on the particle surface and thus layer by layer. As fine particles are always incorporated at the same time, a more compact but still porous structure is created compared to the drying process in the spray tower, as can be seen in the electron micrographs. The higher bulk density of the spray granules improves sinking into water, for example, but there are sufficient pores to ensure rapid disintegration of the agglomerates. By setting different process parameters in the individual zones of the apparatus, it is possible to control product properties such as solubility in a targeted manner.
The clear advantages of fluidized bed technology compared to the drying process of protein powder in the spray tower:
- Faster and improved solubility of proteins compared to powders from the spray tower
- Targeted adjustment of the particle size, reduced dust content, improved flowability
- Gentle processing and safe process due to lower temperatures and reduced risk of explosion
- Smaller footprint and smaller plant with the same throughput
Compared to a spray dryer, a Glatt fluidized bed system GFG is basically:
- much more flexible, different processes are possible
- smaller footprint – smaller building
- lower overall height – lower building
- less requipment – less maintenance
- processing of temperature-sensitive products
Other important points of GFG fluid bed systems compared to spray dryers:
- investment costs are lower or in a similar range
- energy consumption in a similar range
Compared to (spray-dried) powder, granulates from the fluidized bed have:
- much better solubility
- no dust
- good free flowing properties
- an easy dosing behavior
- decreased hygroscopicity
- decreased handling hazards
