Dryers
- Home
- Industries
- Dryers
Dryers
Dryer plants are used in the food and beverage industry to remove moisture from liquids, slurries, or pastes, turning them into powders or dry solids. For small-capacity dryer plants, several types are commonly used in juice and dairy processing, including spray dryers, freeze dryers, and drum dryers.
Small & Medium-Capacity Dryer Plants for Juice & Dairy Processing
Medium-capacity dryer plants are ideal for small to mid-scale juice and dairy producers, offering a balance between cost, efficiency, and production volume. The most suitable types for your industry include spray dryers, freeze dryers, and drum dryers, depending on the product and quality requirements.
Spray Dryer (Most Common for Juice & Dairy)
- Capacity: 100–1000 kg/h (evaporated water)
- Moisture Removal: 90–95%
- Operating Temperature: Inlet: 150–220°C, Outlet: 70–100°C
- Energy Consumption: ~1.2–1.5 kWh per liter of evaporated water
- Key Components:
- Nozzle/rotary atomizer
- Drying chamber
- Cyclone separator & bag filter
- Suitable for:
- Fruit juice powders (e.g., citrus, mango, berry powders)
- Dairy powders (milk, whey, buttermilk, protein concentrates)
- Pros: Fast drying, lower cost than freeze drying, widely available
- Cons: Some heat-sensitive nutrients may degrade
Freeze Dryer (For High-Quality Drying)
- Capacity: 50–500 kg/batch
- Moisture Removal: 95–98%
- Operating Temperature: Freezing at –40 to –50°C, Sublimation at 0 to 40°C
- Energy Consumption: Higher (~1.5–2 kWh per liter of evaporated water)
- Key Components:
- Vacuum chamber
- Condenser
- Heating plates
- Refrigeration system
- Suitable for:
- High-value juice powders (e.g., citrus, berry, tropical fruit)
- Probiotic dairy products (e.g., yogurt, kefir powders)
- Pros: Best nutrient retention, highest quality powder
- Cons: High energy cost, longer drying time
Drum Dryer (For High-Viscosity Liquids)
- Capacity: 100–500 kg/h
- Moisture Removal: 85–95%
- Operating Temperature: 120–150°C
- Energy Consumption: ~1 kWh per liter of evaporated water
- Key Components:
- Heated rotating drum
- Scraper blade
- Suitable for:
- Thick fruit pulps Dairy concentrates (e.g., milk paste, cheese whey)
- Pros: Simple operation, suitable for viscous products
- Cons: Lower powder quality than spray drying