Integrating heat recovery from milk powder spray dryer exhausts in the dairy industry

Heat recovery from milk powder spray dryer exhausts has proven challenging due to both economic and thermodynamic constraints. Integrating the dryer with the rest of the process (e.g. evaporation stages) can increase the viability of exhaust recovery. Several potential integration schemes for a milk powder plant have been investigated. Indirect heat transfer via a coupled loop between the spray dryer exhaust and various heat sinks were modelled and the practical heat recovery potential was determined. Hot utility use was reduced by as much as 21% if suitable heat sinks are selected. Due to high particle loading and operating temperatures in the particle sticky regime, powder deposition in the exhaust heat exchanger is perhaps the greatest obstacle for implementing heat recovery schemes on spray dryers. Adequate cleaning systems are needed to ensure continuous dyer operation.

► Large thermal energy reductions are possible via spray dryer exhaust heat recovery.
► The dryer should be integrated with the evaporators for increase heat recovery.
► The major obstacle is particulate fouling in the exhaust heat exchanger.
► Adequate cleaning systems are needed to ensure continuous dyer operation.