GEA: Pow(d)erful Expertise at POWTECH 2023 with the MOBILE MINOR® MM 100 Spray Dryer

Background information

The MOBILE MINOR® family

Since its introduction, the MOBILE MINOR® spray dryer has enjoyed a unique reputation as the perfect laboratory-scale spray dryer for exploring the possibilities of spray drying and producing small-volume powder samples. The cross-application MOBILE MINOR® spray dryer is now installed in nearly 2,500 plants worldwide.

The MOBILE MINOR® is available in several versions designed for different requirements, including drying of aqueous and/or solvent-based raw materials. Since different atomization techniques result in different droplet sizes and drying characteristics, the MOBILE MINOR® is available in three different atomization techniques:

• as rotary atomization
• atomization through a two-substance nozzle in co-current flow
• atomization by a two-substance nozzle in fountain mode

In addition, there are various options for powder collection, explosion protection, cleaning, data recording and other technical features.

The MOBILE MINOR® can be adapted to the processing requirements of many products and applications. However, safety always has priority. To produce inert powders with an aqueous starting material, the MOBILE MINOR® is standard - with blower, heater, drying chamber, cyclone and optional cartridge filter.

Since some powder air mixtures can form an explosive atmosphere, the MOBILE MINOR® can be manufactured pressure shock resistant (PSR). In addition, the dryer chamber has an explosion venting plate. A flame arrester can be supplied for use in rooms without an external vent.

Alternatively, explosive powders can be spray dried using nitrogen as the drying gas (MOBILE MINOR™ I). The blower is replaced by a valve arrangement for nitrogen process gas. Before opening, the system is cleaned with compressed air. Such a system can also be used for solvent-based feeds. All equipment, including the feed pump, must be EEx compliant for solvent-based applications.

For continuous nitrogen gas-based applications, a closed loop system (MOBILE MINOR® CC) is recommended, where most of the nitrogen is recirculated and the evaporated solvent is collected under the condenser.

GEA's Cyclone Extra Efficiency (CEE) Technology

For efficient and reliable powder separation, a well-designed cyclone is essential to avoid two common problems - smearing due to powder settling in the cyclone, and abrasion. GEA's latest cyclone solution, Cyclone Extra Efficiency (CEE) technology, helps customers overcome these challenges.

In powder separation, two undesirable phenomena, known as smearing and abrasion, can lead to blockages and powder buildup. The result is costly production downtime. Cyclones that are not optimally designed are susceptible to both, due to high velocity turbulence within them. Smearing (powder settling in the cyclone) is very problematic with grease-containing powder. The resulting blockages lead to stubborn deposits during the clean-in-place (CIP) process. Abrasion occurs when the particle size distribution of the powder deteriorates, which naturally reduces the separation efficiency and interrupts drying.

The improved cyclone performance provides a higher powder separation efficiency and minimizes smearing and abrasion. In this way, you not only achieve greater drying economy, but in some cases, you can even eliminate the need for downstream bag filters.

GEA's powder separation technology, the CEE cyclone, is suitable for drying food, dairy and chemical products and related industries. It was developed based on extensive laboratory testing, a comprehensive literature review and CFD (computational fluid dynamics) modeling.

The main advantages of the CEE cyclone:

• Lower emissions due to higher powder separation efficiency
• Low risk of smearing and abrasion
• CIP nozzles can be used
• Robust, proven design