Abstract: A method for producing agglomerated particles, including maintaining in a fluid bed a fluidised particle layer above a plate having perforations through which fluidisation gas flows, the fluid bed being divided into an inner and an outer zone, supplying the fluidised particle layer with descending particles directly from a spray dryer to be agglomerated in the fluid bed, atomizing an agglomeration liquid in the fluidised layer of particles, and guiding the fluidised particles in a plug-flow toward an outlet. The outer zone receives the majority of the descending particles and the inner zone is connected to an outlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to an agglomeration apparatus comprising a fluid bed, a source of descending particles, one or more nozzles for atomizing an agglomeration fluid and an outlet for discharging the agglomerated particles. In the fluid bed, the particles are guided towards the outlet and pass an outer and an inner zone. The apparatus provides for the production of an improved agglomerated particulate product with a low content of fine particles.

Abstract: The air disperser (1) includes an air inlet (2), a pipe (3) defining an air outlet area equipped with one or more atomizers (4), an outer wall (7) and a space (8) defined by the pipe wall (9) and the outer wall (7) of the air disperser. The space (8) has a plurality of guide vanes (10a-10l) positioned substantially vertically in the axial direction and substantially on the radii between the pipe wall (9) and the outer wall (7) of the air disperser. At least one (10e) of the guide vanes is covering at least 90% of the full radius from the pipe wall (9) in the direction towards the outer wall (7) of the air disperser, and the rest of said guide vanes being distributed on radii along the circumference of the pipe (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing substantially monodisperse micro particles mainly of heat sensible material using a carrier gas and a drying gas. Relatively dense micro particles with diameters in the range 1-120 ?m with a very narrow span can be obtained.

Abstract: A nozzle for atomizing a liquid using a gas. The nozzle includes a mixing chamber (1), one or more liquid inlets (6c) and at least one tangential gas inlet (5) to the mixing chamber. An outlet (4) is positioned at the downstream end of the mixing chamber (1). A center body (2) having a generally converging configuration, seen in the flow direction, is provided in the mixing chamber (1). The liquid inlet (6c) or inlets is/are positioned at or near the upstream end (3a) of the mixing chamber (1) and in the upstream direction with respect to the gas inlet (5) or inlets.

Abstract: The invention relates to an agglomeration apparatus comprising a fluid bed, a source of descending particles, one or more nozzles for atomizing an agglomeration fluid and an outlet for discharging the agglomerated particles. In the fluid bed, the particles are guided towards the outlet and pass an outer and an inner zone. The apparatus provides for the production of an improved agglomerated particulate product with a low content of fine particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plant for production of tablets, a process for production of tablets and tablets as such. The plant comprises a mixing device producing a mixed liquid feed of active pharmaceutical ingredient and excipients. A spray dryer atomizes the mixed liquid feed and dried particles with a high flowability are produced. The dried particles are subsequently compressed to tablets in a tablet press. The invention possesses several advantages, including the possibility of using an auto mated rotary tablet press directly, thereby reducing the number of unit operations in the tablet production.

Abstract: The air disperser (1) comprises an air inlet (2), a pipe (3) defining an air outlet area equipped with one or more atomizing means (4), an outer wall (7) and a space (8) defined by the pipe wall (9) and the outer wall (7) of the air disperser. The space (8) has a plurality of guide vanes (10a-10l) positioned substantially vertically in the axial direction and substantially on the radii between the pipe wall (9) and the outer wall (7) of the air disperser. At least one (10e) of the guide vanes is covering at least 90% of the full radius from the pipe wall (9) in the direction towards the outer wall (7) of the air disperser, and the rest of said guide vanes being distributed on radii along the circumference of the pipe (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for drying a liquid predominately containing solid matter of carbohydrates to a non-sticky powder. The apparatus comprises a spray drying chamber (5) in the upper part of which a spraying element (4) capable of atomizing liquid predominately containing solid matter of carbohydrates to droplets is positioned, means (6) for supplying a drying gas to the atomized droplets for partially drying thereof to moist particles, and a residence device (9) for post-crystallisation of the moist particles received from the drying chamber to a non-sticky powder. The apparatus further comprises a filter element (7) arranged internally in the spraying chamber, and means (16) for withdrawing the spent drying gas through the filter element. The apparatus is suitable for treating liquids with a high content of carbohydrates such as whey and whey permeate. Also disclosed is a process for producing non-sticky powders.

Abstract: A nozzle for atomising a liquid by means of a gas comprises a mixing chamber (1), one or more liquid inlets (6c) and at least one tangential gas inlet (5) to the mixing chamber. An outlet (4) is positioned at the downstream end of the mixing chamber (1). A centre body (2) having a generally converging configuration, seen in the flow direction is provided in the mixing chamber (1). The liquid inlet (6c) or inlets is/are positioned at or near the upstream end (3a) of the mixing chamber (1) and in the upstream direction with respect to the gas inlet (5) or inlets.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for agglomeration of powders wherein the powder is brought into contact with an agglomeration fluid while being air-borne and collected on a surface all parts of which are moving at substantially the same speed, after which the agglomerated powder is moved away from the moving surface by means of a centrifugal acceleration of at least 50 m/s2.

Abstract: In a fluid bed apparatus in which a layer of pulverulent or particulate material is fluidized by means of fluidizing gas which is introduced through openings in a bed plate in a first plurality of streams of flows of gas, means are provided for introducing a second plurality of streams of flows of gas at a site or sites of introduction and is directed from said site or sites along the surfaces of at least some of the walls of the housing to form a gas barrier covering at least a substantial part of said wall surfaces and the ceiling of the housing thus reducing detrimental effects, in particular deposition of products, condensation and corrosion, on the surfaces of the walls and ceiling of the housing.

Abstract: Crystalline &agr;-lactose monohydrate is recovered from a viscous lactose-containing aqueous liquid by subjecting said liquid to simultaneous heating, removal of evaporated vapor and mechanical agitation at high shear rate to provide a crystallization promoting decrease of the viscosity of the liquid with crystals formed and suspended therein to progressively concentrate the agitated liquid and simultaneously crystallize lactose therefrom. Subsequent cooling, drying, and disintegration yield particulate &agr;-lactose monohydrate.

Abstract: In a compact combined spray drying and after-treatment apparatus having internal gas filters and an internal fluidized bed in the drying chamber and a fluidized bed in the after-treatment zone, pipe means are used for conducting a stream of particle-loaded gas formed in the after-treatment zone to suitable locations in the drying chamber without disturbing the normal operation of the drying chamber and the fluidized bed therein.

Abstract: A filter unit (1) for filtering gas has a plurality of bag filters (10) hanging down from a suspension plate (7) dividing a housing into a lower gas inlet side (9) and an upper outlet side (8) for filtered gas. The individual bag filter (10) has an open end (11) at the suspension plate, a tubular wall (20) of a flexible filter material, and a lower end closure (23) of an impermeable material and provided with a drain (25). The end closures of the bag filters are interconnected.

Abstract: Crystalline &agr;-lactose monohydrate is recovered frown a viscous lactose-containing aqueous liquid by subjecting said liquid to simultaneous heating, removal of evaporated vapor and mechanical agitation at high shear rate to provide a crystallization promoting decrease of the viscosity of the liquid with crystals formed and suspended therein to progressively concentrate the agitated liquid and simultaneously crystallize lactose therefrom. Subsequent cooling, drying, and disintegration yield particulate &agr;-lactose monohydrate.

Abstract: A moist non-rewetted particulate material obtained from an extract of e.g. coffee by drying, is subjected to a heat treatment being carried out without affecting the moisture content of the particulate material at a combination of temperature and time being adequate for effecting fusion so as to form a compact cake-like structure, which is disintegrated into granular material before drying to final moisture content, whereby fines may be separated without being subjected to final drying, and recirculated in the process. Hereby a product having an appearance similar to and a quality comparable to or better than that of freeze dried coffee can be obtained in a less expensive manner.

Abstract: In a spray drying process utilizing a spray dryer having internal gas filters and an internal fluidized bed and comprising an after-treatment of the product in a separate unit outside the spray drying chamber, which treatment produces a particle-loaded gas stream, said particle-loaded gas stream is conducted from the separate unit to the spray drying chamber. The stream passes, together with the spent drying gas in the drying chamber, the filters integrated in said chamber. Several plant modifications are suggested for performing the process which involves substantial savings by making external particle collectors superfluous.

Abstract: The atomizer wheel includes a plurality of ejection apertures distributed over the circumference of an external wall, in which a plurality of inserts are arranged. The inserts each includes a bushing and a wear-resistant lining arranged in the bushing such that a contact surface of the lining abuts against an internal side of the bushing. Each insert is provided with a transition surface extending between an inner end face of the lining and the contact surface, and the transition surface includes at least one portion forming an angle with the contact surface, by which it is possible to direct the flow of the material to be atomized along the transition surface of the lining and farther down to the inner side of the external wall and thus avoid wear on the bushing.

Abstract: A filter unit for filtering gas has at least one filter element with an outlet opening. A filter cleaning nozzle is located in a clean-gas chamber at a distance from the outlet opening and is connected to a source of pressurized primary cleaning gas via a control valve. Primary cleaning gas is ejected from an annular slot and along the outer side of a guide body located in the clean-gas chamber. The guide body is open to the secondary gas in the chamber.