One-dimensional simulation of co-current, dairy spray drying systems - pros and cons

One-dimensional (1-D) simulation is a useful technique for the evaluation of dryer operating parameters and product properties before conducting real spray drying trials. The main advantage of a 1-D simulation tool is its ability to perform fast calculations with significant simplicity. Mathematical models can be formulated using heat, mass and momentum balances at the droplet level to estimate time-dependent gas and droplet parameters. One of the purposes of this paper is to summarize key mathematical models that may be used to perform 1-D simulation for spray drying processes, predict essential product-drying gas parameters, assess the accuracy of prediction using pilot-scale spray drying data and perhaps most importantly address the main benefits and limitations of the 1-D simulation technique in relation to industrial spray drying operations. The results of a recent international collaborative study on the development of spray drying process optimization software for skim milk manufacture are presented as an example of the application of 1-D simulation in milk processing.