Influence of Spray Drying Process Conditions on the Physical, Functional Properties and Production Yield of Acid Whey Powders

The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of various parameters such as inlet air temperature, feed concentrate and feed rate on physical and functional properties and production yield of Acid whey powders. Spray dryer system was in pilot scale. Process variables was inlet air temperature (140, 160 and 180 °C), Feed concentrate (30 and 40 %) and feed rate (15 and 22 ml/min).During spray drying some process variable such as atomizer round (18000 rpm), feed temperature (25±1 °C) and nozzle air pressure (4.0 ± 0.1 bar) were fixed. The results showed that powder production yield was influenced by variables and Strength of impact from highest to lowest was respectively for inlet air temperature, feed rate and feed concentrate. Changes in physical and functional properties of powders in relative to the air temperature treatments were high and significant but in relative to the feed concentrate and feed rate was low and often insignificant. Conclusion of results for measured parameters of powders showed that the best variables are, 160 °C for inlet air temperature, 40 % for feed concentrate and 15 ml/min for feed rate.