Abstract: An air-lift dryer for processing a high-lactose aqueous fluid (HLAF), such as permeate from ultrafiltration of whey fluid, is provided. The air-lift dryer has an enclosed drying chamber with diverging interior sidewalls that define an intermediate interior space having a cross-sectional area that increases as the diverging interior sidewalls extend away from a lower portion toward an upper portion.

Abstract: The present invention is a new fondant product including spheroidal polycrystallite structures or monodispersed sugar crystallites released from the polycrystallite structures.

Abstract: The present invention is a new spheroidal polycrystallite product and a process for making the same. In the present invention amorphous sugar is transformed to crystalline sugar by hydrating rather than dehydrating sugar. The product of the present invention is unique in shape, size, and possesses a high degree of uniformity.

Abstract: The present invention is a new crystalline sugar product and method of making same which includes forming a bi-dimensionally stabilized sugar crystalline frame from an outer portion of an amorphous shearform sugar mass, and, subsequently, converting the remaining portion of the mass to a substantially completely crystalline structure which retains the cross-sectional dimension of the sugar crystalline frame. The present invention also includes co-crystallizing an additive, especially a bio-affecting additive, during the process to provide a co-crystallized product. The structure of the crystallized product can also be loaded with a non-solvent liquid by force of capillary action in the space created within the structure during the conversion from amorphous mass to crystalline structure.

Abstract: The present invention is a new crystalline sugar product and method of making same which includes forming a bi-dimensionally stabilized sugar crystalline frame from an outer portion of an amorphous shearform sugar mass, and, subsequently, converting the remaining portion of the mass to a substantially completely crystalline structure which retains the cross-sectional dimension of the sugar crystalline frame. The present invention also includes co-crystallizing an additive, especially a bio-affecting additive, during the process to provide a co-crystallized product. The structure of the crystallized product can also be loaded with a non-solvent liquid by force of capillary action in the space created within the structure during the conversion from amorphous mass to crystalline structure.

Abstract: A method for improving the properties of particles of a starch hydrolyzate product made by the partial hydrolysis of cereal and root based starches. Particles of starting material are blended with a volatile liquid other than water, and the resulting blend is compacted in a roller compactor without extraneous lubricant, to form a sheet. The sheet is broken into small particles which are sieved and dried. The resulting particles are non-spherical, appear crystalline under a light microscope and have a surface topography comprising cracks, crevices and fissures. These particles have good solubility, a bulk density comparable to the starting material, and no flow or dusting problems.