Abstract: Disclosed is an electrostatic spray drying process for encapsulating a core material, such as a volatile flavor oil, within a carrier or wall material. The process is achieved by atomizing a liquid emulsion comprising the core material and the wall material, applying an electrostatic charge at the site of atomization, and drying the atomized emulsion into an encapsulated, free-flowing powder. Applying an electrostatic charge at the site of atomization allows the spray drying to be accomplished at significantly reduced temperatures, in particular, inlet temperatures in the range of 25° C. to 110° C., and outlet temperatures in the range of 25° C. to 80° C. The low drying temperatures impart improvements in the resulting encapsulated powdered product, including better retention of volatile flavor components, a flavor profile comparable to that of the starting liquid formulation, and better hydration and dissolution in water-based applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrostatic spray drying process for encapsulating a core material, such as a volatile flavor oil, within a carrier or wall material. The process is achieved by atomizing a liquid emulsion comprising the core material and the wall material, applying an electrostatic charge at the site of atomization, and drying the atomized emulsion into an encapsulated, free-flowing powder. Applying an electrostatic charge at the site of atomization allows the spray drying to be accomplished at significantly reduced temperatures, in particular, inlet temperatures in the range of 25° C. to 110° C., and outlet temperatures in the range of 25° C. to 80° C. The low drying temperatures impart improvements in the resulting encapsulated powdered product, including better retention of volatile flavor components, a flavor profile comparable to that of the starting liquid formulation, and better hydration and dissolution in water-based applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrostatic spray drying process for encapsulating a core material, such as a volatile flavor oil, within a carrier or wall material. The process is achieved by atomizing a liquid emulsion comprising the core material and the wall material, applying an electrostatic charge at the site of atomization, and drying the atomized emulsion into an encapsulated, free-flowing powder. Applying an electrostatic charge at the site of atomization allows the spray drying to be accomplished at significantly reduced temperatures, in particular, inlet temperatures in the range of 25° C. to 110° C., and outlet temperatures in the range of 25° C. to 80° C. The low drying temperatures impart improvements in the resulting encapsulated powdered product, including better retention of volatile flavor components, a flavor profile comparable to that of the starting liquid formulation, and better hydration and dissolution in water-based applications.

Abstract: A fluidized bed spray drying system for drying liquid into powder including an elongated drying chamber, a spray nozzle assembly at an upper end of the drying chamber and a powder collection chamber at a lower end of the drying chamber. A drying gas inlet is provided in the powder collection chamber and a drying gas outlet is provided at an upper end of the drying chamber. A plurality of cylindrical filter elements at the upper end of the drying chamber are in communication with the exhaust gas outlet for filtering drying gas borne powder from drying gas exiting the drying chamber.

Abstract: A spray drying system for drying liquid into powder including a plurality of processing towers each including an elongated drying chamber, a spray nozzle assembly at an upper end of the drying chamber and a powder collection chamber at a lower end of the drying chamber. The powder collection chamber of each processing tower being configured to discharge power to a common conveyor system.

Abstract: A lubricant dispensing system having particular utility for applying a tightly controlled thin line of lubricant about the perimeter of cans as they are processed. The lubricant dispensing system includes an electrostatic spray head having a nozzle body that defines a lubricant receiving chamber for electrically charging lubricant therein and a capillary tube supported by the nozzle body having an inlet end communicating with the lubricant receiving chamber and an outlet that defines a discharge orifice of the electrostatic spray head. The capillary tube has a diameter between about 0.2 and 0.3 inches for directing electrostatically charged lubricant onto an item to be lubricated in a controlled thin line having a width no greater than 0.125 inches. The electrode is adjustably positionable relative to the capillary tube for selectively controlling the rate of discharging lubricant, and the electrode is configured for enhancing electrostatic charging of lubricant through the capillary tube.

Abstract: An electrostatic spray dryer for drying liquid into powder including an elongated body defining a drying chamber, a spray nozzle assembly at one end of the drying chamber and a filter element housing and powder collection chamber at an opposite end. A non-structural non-metallic liner is disposed within the elongated body in spaced relation to an inner wall surface for defining an internal drying zone. The liner is releasably supported within the body for enabling selective removal and replacement following a particular usage. The illustrated elongated body has a modular construction comprising a plurality of modules, with at least one being selectively removable and replacement for altering the length of the drying chamber for a particular spray application. The liner also is replaceable with a liner of a length corresponding to the altered length of the drying chamber or with a different diameter for a particular usage.

Abstract: A spray dryer for drying liquid into powder including an elongated drying chamber, a spray nozzle assembly at an upper end of the drying chamber and a filter element housing and powder collection chamber at a lower end of the drying chamber. The filter element housing comprises a plurality of cylindrical filter elements supported from a wall of an exhaust chamber that communicates with an exhaust gas outlet of the filter element housing. In one embodiment, the filter element housing includes an inner downwardly opening cylindrical shroud surrounding the filter elements which defines an outer annular powder and drying gas passageway communicating with the powder collection chamber, and the exhaust chamber is defined by a downwardly opening conical plenum having an outer conical surface for directing drying gas and powder about the shroud into the powder collection chamber. Filter elements each have a respective reverse gas pulse cleaning device.

Abstract: A spray drying system for drying liquid into powder including a plurality of processing towers each including an elongated drying chamber, a spray nozzle assembly at an upper end of the drying chamber and a powder collection chamber at a lower end of the drying chamber. The powder collection chamber of each processing tower being configured to discharge power to a common conveyor system.

Abstract: A fluidized bed spray drying system for drying liquid into powder including an elongated drying chamber, a spray nozzle assembly at an upper end of the drying chamber and a powder collection chamber at a lower end of the drying chamber. A drying gas inlet is provided in the powder collection chamber and a drying gas outlet is provided at an upper end of the drying chamber. A plurality of cylindrical filter elements at the upper end of the drying chamber are in communication with the exhaust gas outlet for filtering drying gas borne powder from drying gas exiting the drying chamber.

Abstract: An air assisted electrostatic liquid spray nozzle assembly having a relatively long elongated nozzle body with a spray tip and surrounding air cap disposed at a downstream end of the nozzle body. The spray nozzle assembly includes an upstream electrode for connection to a high voltage electric source, an elongated feed tube, an electrically enhancing stinger, and the spray tip which are secured and retained by the air cap in electrically conductive relation to each other such that liquid passing through liquid passages of the electrode, feed tube, stinger, and spray tip is discharged in an electrostatically charged pattern of liquid particles. The air cap is removable to permit easy removal and replacement of the spray tip, stinger, and liquid feed tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrostatic spray drying process for encapsulating a core material, such as a volatile flavor oil, within a carrier or wall material. The process is achieved by atomizing a liquid emulsion comprising the core material and the wall material, applying an electrostatic charge at the site of atomization, and drying the atomized emulsion into an encapsulated, free-flowing powder. Applying an electrostatic charge at the site of atomization allows the spray drying to be accomplished at significantly reduced temperatures, in particular, inlet temperatures in the range of 25° C. to 110° C., and outlet temperatures in the range of 25° C. to 80° C. The low drying temperatures impart improvements in the resulting encapsulated powdered product, including better retention of volatile flavor components, a flavor profile comparable to that of the starting liquid formulation, and better hydration and dissolution in water-based applications.

Abstract: A lubricant dispensing system having particular utility for applying a tightly controlled thin line of lubricant about the perimeter of cans as they are processed. The lubricant dispensing system includes an electrostatic spray head having a nozzle body that defines a lubricant receiving chamber for electrically charging lubricant therein and a capillary tube supported by the nozzle body having an inlet end communicating with the lubricant receiving chamber and an outlet that defines a discharge orifice of the electrostatic spray head. The capillary tube has a diameter between about 0.2 and 0.3 inches for directing electrostatically charged lubricant onto an item to be lubricated in a controlled thin line having a width no greater than 0.125 inches. The electrode is adjustably positionable relative to the capillary tube for selectively controlling the rate of discharging lubricant, and the electrode is configured for enhancing electrostatic charging of lubricant through the capillary tube.

Abstract: A spray dryer for drying liquid into powder including an elongated drying chamber, a spray nozzle assembly at an upper end of the drying chamber and a filter element housing and powder collection chamber at a lower end of the drying chamber. The filter element housing comprises a plurality of cylindrical filter elements supported from a wall of an exhaust chamber that communicates with an exhaust gas outlet of the filter element housing. In one embodiment, the filter element housing includes an inner downwardly opening cylindrical shroud surrounding the filter elements which defines an outer annular powder and drying gas passageway communicating with the powder collection chamber, and the exhaust chamber is defined by a downwardly opening conical plenum having an outer conical surface for directing drying gas and powder about the shroud into the powder collection chamber. Filter elements each have a respective reverse gas pulse cleaning device.

Abstract: An electrostatic spray dryer for drying liquid into powder including an elongated body defining a drying chamber, a spray nozzle assembly at one end of the drying chamber and a filter element housing and powder collection chamber at an opposite end. A non-structural non-metallic liner is disposed within the elongated body in spaced relation to an inner wall surface for defining an internal drying zone. The liner is releasably supported within the body for enabling selective removal and replacement following a particular usage. The illustrated elongated body has a modular construction comprising a plurality of modules, with at least one being selectively removable and replacement for altering the length of the drying chamber for a particular spray application. The liner also is replaceable with a liner of a length corresponding to the altered length of the drying chamber or with a different diameter for a particular usage.

Abstract: An air assisted electrostatic liquid spray nozzle assembly having a relatively long elongated nozzle body with a spray tip and surrounding air cap disposed at a downstream end of the nozzle body. The spray nozzle assembly includes an upstream electrode for connection to a high voltage electric source, an elongated feed tube, an electrically enhancing stinger, and the spray tip which are secured and retained by the air cap in electrically conductive relation to each other such that liquid passing through liquid passages of the electrode, feed tube, stinger, and spray tip is discharged in an electrostatically charged pattern of liquid particles. The air cap is removable to permit easy removal and replacement of the spray tip, stinger, and liquid feed tube.