Abstract: The invention relates to a spray-drying device (1) having a vertical drying chamber (2), material-atomization means (4) and drying-gas feed (6) means. Filter elements (11) are present in order to filter the fine particles out of the flow of drying gas (7). The fine particles are periodically removed from the filter elements (11) and collected in fine-particle collection means (10) in such a manner that they remain separate from the main flow of spray-dried material. In this way, it is possible to successfully control the properties of the spray-dried (main) material without it being undesirably influenced by the fine particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing whey powder. In this method, whey concentrate with a dry matter content of at least 45% is heated to a temperature of at least 75, and preferably at least 85° C. before, after preliminary crystallization, being dried to a moisture content of at least 9%, in a spray-drying process. The result is a powder with reduced stickiness during drying on account of further crystallization being carried out much more quickly and more completely. The end product obtained is non-caking. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method, which also comprises means for treating the discharged drying gases in order to make particles entrained therein less sticky, so that a filter can be used instead of a cyclone.

Abstract: The invention provides a spray-drying device comprising a housing (1), a first feed means (2) with a first spray opening, for supplying a first substance, the first substance being a liquid which is sprayed in a cone (3; 3a, 3b) in a first outlet direction, a second feed means (4) for supplying a particle stream (5) in a second outlet direction, the first and second outlet directions including an angle ? with respect to one another, and flow-control means for controlling the flow of the liquid and the particle stream, at least one out of the first (2) and second (4) feed means comprising angle-adjustment means (6, 9) for adjusting the angle ?, and therefore the overlap and properties of particles or agglomerates formed. The invention also provides a feed means for feeding a material to a spray-drying device according to the invention.