Spray Dryers - VETTERTEC - PASSION FOR DRYING

VetterTec offers spray dryers based on 40 years of experience and 180 references world-wide in the food and chemical industries. The special know-how in the design of the atomizers provides high reliability and a sophisticated solution to give the particle characteristics for the desired application. From pilot plants to industrial units: VetterTec provides a full range of spray drying units and services.

Principle of Operation

VetterTec spray dryers are designed to dry liquids to powder by means of an atomizer in a high-efficient range. This very gentle drying is mainly used to dry heat sensitive products.

The atomizer forms the liquid into small droplets before spraying them into a hot air stream, where the major part of the water evaporates in a few seconds. At the end, the dried powder will be separated from the air by a cyclone and/or a filter system. Downstream the dryer can be equipped with fluid beds, coolers and agglomerators, to further condition the powder prior to the packaging unit.

Characteristics

The VetterTec spray dryers are custom-designed to meet the specific requirements of each customer, offering a high degree of flexibility in system configuration.

Atomization can be achieved by centrifugal wheels, rotary atomizers, pressure nozzles, or twin-fluid nozzles. This variety of options enables precise control of particle properties - such as size distribution, shape, solubility, bulk density, and degree of agglomeration - to suit every application.

Depending on product characteristics and industry standards, systems can be equipped with either direct or indirect heating. Inlet temperatures typically range from as low as 100°C for heat-sensitive products up to 750°C for thermally stable or mineral-based materials.

For processes involving organic solvents or requiring environmental compliance, closed-loop and gas-inertized systems are available - ensuring both safety and sustainability.

A range of chamber configurations and residence times allows for optimal control over particle size, moisture content, and product consistency.

Agglomerated powders - commonly used in the food industries - can be produced using integrated fluid beds, fines recycle systems, and external fluid beds for enhanced solubility and flowability.

Special Features

Internal fluid bed
External fluid bed
Air brooms
Cleaning in place (CIP)

Fluid bed agglomeration
Product cooling systems
Automatic control system
ATEX requirements

Spray drying chamber

Cyclone (behind)

Bag filter

Feed tank with wet feed

Homogenizer/high pressure pump

External fluid bed

A VetterTec spray dryer, including an external fluid bed, cyclone, bag filter and a high-pressure pump (homogenizer).

Advantages

Controlled particle size, shape and density

Rotary and nozzle atomizers

Customized solution for each product

Tuned retention time

Integrated systems

Many different designs

Fields of Application

Spray dryers are used for various products, especially if there are high hygienical demands at the final product (as in the food industry) or if special particle properties should be met. Since it is a very gentle drying method, it is also used preferably to dry heat sensitive products.

VetterTec Spray Dryers are employed for a wide range of applications. To achieve an optimal operating behavior, each VetterTec dryer is customized. The complete equipment (e.g. the atomization system) is carefully selected and adjusted to an optimum. With internal fluid bed, external fluid bed, rotary atomizers, high pressure nozzles, twin-fluid nozzles and homogenizer, the spray dryer can be adapted to customers’ needs.

VetterTec’s experienced team of spray drying experts is always dedicated to developing the best solution for the specific requirements, as e.g. dust-free powder, agglomerated powder etc.

With the deep know-how in particle engineering, our customers are always getting particles of the desired shape, size and density.

According to requirements, it may be useful to make CFD flow simulations at first, or to run drying tests with our fully equipped pilot plant in Germany.

VetterTec is focusing the food, starch, brewery and chemical industries:

Your application is not on the list? Feel free to contact us:
we have several test facilities, combined with our long-term experience in the drying we would be pleased to consult for the best drying solution for your product.