Risk of powder clogging: the impact of humidity on powder flowability
The influence of relative humidity and temperature on the flowability of food powders increases the risk of clogging. When powders are exposed to relative humidity, problems may arise. When air humidity increases, powders absorb water, which can result in liquid bonds being created between particles. This increases the cohesion of the powder and reduces its flowability.
Food powders such as yeast, starches, flours, sugars and whey, are particularly sensitive to humidity. Under high humidity levels, these hygroscopic powders absorb moisture, which can lead to issues such as lump formation, clogging, blockages, and thus reduced flowability. This phenomenon impacts product quality, especially in the dairy industry, during the preparation, transfer via conveyors, and storage of infant formula. Strict humidity control is therefore essential to prevent these problems.
Drying tower
Spray-drying towers are used in industry to produce dry powders from liquids. This method is particularly used in the food, pharmaceutical and chemical sectors for products such as milk powder or medicines. DESSICA offers dehumidification solutions to maintain a low-humidity environment in these towers, guaranteeing production to be without any clogging or agglomeration, while increasing energy efficiency and reducing maintenance costs.
Pneumatic conveying system
In a pneumatic conveying system, the close contact between the air and the product can cause moisture to be reabsorbed by the dry powders if the air which is used is humid. Dehumidifiers are installed to prevent this. They ensure a continuous flow and prevent the matters from becoming sticky or agglomerated. In addition, during production stoppages, the hygroscopic products present in the filters run the risk of absorbing moisture and clogging the system. This problem that can be solved thanks to the dry air provided by suitable dehumidification systems.
Pneumatic conveying & silos
Some powdered products, which are highly sensitive to humidity, can suffer from clogging or lump formation during pneumatic transport or storage in silos. These issues are caused by excessive moisture in the ambient air. DESSICA solutions lower the dew point of the air, preventing moisture reabsorption by the powders and ensuring their flowability. This ensures optimized transport and storage, reducing the risks of blockages in pipes and product degradation.
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