Abstract
Scale-up methods and performances of a continuous vibro fluidized-bed were investigated experimentally for the agglomeration of milk powder. Two small-scale and one large-scale experimental apparatus having 0.3, 1.2 and 16.0m2 of area of the perforated-plate, respectively, were used in this study.
Agglomerates of similar particle size distributions and moisture contents were produced from these three apparatus by equalizing the following factors: (1) the feed rate of milk powder per unit area of the perforated plate (2) the superficial velocity and the temperature of air (3) the weight ratio of water added to milk powder (4) the size distribution of sprayed droplets (5) the height of the weir placed at the exit and (6) the vibration of the apparatus. The agglomerates had excellent properties for dissolving in water compared with the original milk powder. It was found that the data obtained in this study was useful in the design of commercial plants.
