Anna Williams

Citation

Thesis Title
Instant Milk Powder Production: Determining the Extent of Agglomeration

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Ms Williams investigated the effects of key droplet and fines properties on the extent of agglomeration to allow a mechanistic understanding of the process. Agglomerated milk powders are produced to give improved properties such as flowability, dispersibility, reduced dustiness and decreased bulk density. A key function of these powders is to dissolve instantly upon addition to water. They are produced by agglomerating the undersized fines that are returned to the top of the spray drier with milk concentrate droplet spray. Interaction occurs in a collision zone, often with multiple sprays and fine powder return lines. Agglomeration can be a difficult process to control and operators find it hard to tune the process to produce specific powder properties. This thesis has gained insight into agglomeration processes during spray drying and offers practical guidelines to industry to improve the control of agglomeration processes.

Supervisors
Professor Jim Jones
Professor Tony Paterson