C10, C11, C20, C21
Advanced Service Available
DEHYDRATION (SPRAY-DRYING, LYOPHYLIZATION OR FREEZE-DRYING)
Innovations and Benefits
In Spray-drying process, the starting matrix is atomized into fine droplets (0.5-0.02 mm): the contact with a warm air stream causes an instantaneous evaporation of the water, obtaining a very fine powder (3-5% of residual moisture). This technology can also be used for thermolabile substances, thereby achieving high quality powders. Evaporative capacity: about 20 L/h.
Lyophilization, or freeze-drying, is used for the preservation of biological substances and/or matrices and/or micro-organisms: water is first frozen and then removed by vacuum sublimation. Evaporation surface of 3 m2 (57 liters of sample).
Use
Spray-Drying allows the scale-up of processes involving the drying of products in liquid or slurry form. Applications of spray drying are numerous: organic and inorganic chemical raw materials, resins and plastics; food industry (milk powder, coffee, condiments, spices); production of plant extracts and traditional medicinal products.
Freeze-drying is useful for stabilizing nutraceutical or cosmetic products from vegetable matrices.
Applications and ongoing Activities
RS&T activities in collaboration with SMEs and Research Institutions by Contract and/or Joint Projects drafted in response to regional/national calls and EU measures. Some of the activities are addressed in:
i) the drying of plant extracts, milk, protein concentrates, other products for human or animal nutrition, and microbial biomass;
ii) lyophilization of donkey milk for food (baby-food) and cosmetics.
Moreover, technical and economic feasibility assessments of the process are carried out.
CUSTOM The service can be flexibly adapted to different needs and contexts
“If you are interested in this technology/service, please send a message to eneaperlinnovazione@enea.it, by specifying the title of the technology/service of your interest, the reason for your request and your contacts or the contacts of a person from your organization/company.
