Drying of chitosan in a spouted bed: The influences of temperature and equipment geometry in powder quality

The influence of temperature and spouted bed geometry in drying chitosan with relation to powder quality (molecular weight, deacetylation degree, particle size, color) and operation characteristics (product recovery and mass accumulated) were investigated. Chitosan paste was obtained from shrimp wastes and dried in a spouted bed (slot-rectangular and conical-cylindrical geometries) with different inlet air temperatures (90, 100 and 110 °C). Thermogravimetric curves, infra-red analysis and scanning electron microscopy were carried out in order to verify powder quality. Chitosan paste used in drying experiments showed solid content 4%, molecular weight 140 kDa and deacetylation degree 85%. In all drying experiments deacetylation degree was not modified and final moisture content was in the commercial range (10%). Temperature increase caused an increase in molecular weight, powder darkening and increased particle size. The best powder quality was obtained in slot-rectangular spouted bed at 90 °C. In this condition product recovery was 65%, accumulated mass was 20% and the powder presented faint yellow coloration, high thermal stability and porous heterogeneous surface.