Experimental study of fluidized bed agglomeration of acerola powder

• Main Authors: G. C. Dacanal, F. C. Menegalli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazilian Society of Chemical Engineering 2008-03-01
• Series: Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering
• Subjects: Agglomeration; Granulation; Fluid bed; Acerola; Powder
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-66322008000100007

The aim of this work was to study the main effects of acerola powder on fluidized bed agglomeration. A 2(4-1) fractional factoring design was used to evaluate the main operating conditions (fluidizing air temperature, fluidizing air velocity, atomizing air flow and height of nozzle in the bed). The mechanical and physicochemical product changes were determined by analysis of particle diameter, moisture content, wetting time and bed porosity. The particle enlargement by agglomeration occurred when the relative humidity in the bed increased and, thus, the moisture of the product increased. However, the excessive increase in relative humidity resulted in a decrease in yield, caused by caking and product incrustation. The consolidation of small granules resulted in an increase in the instant properties, decreasing the wetting time and increasing the solubility in a short period of agitation.