Method and apparatus for making agglomerated product

Claim 3

The method according to claim 1, wherein the fine particles are split in first and second fractions by weighing in the separating device.

Claim 4

The method according to claim 2, wherein the first fraction of fine particles is introduced to the wet zone around the atomizer in the drying chamber with adjustable velocity.

Claim 5

The method according to claim 3, wherein the first fraction of fine particles is pneumatically transferred from the separating device to the drying chamber.

Claim 6

The method according to claim 4, wherein the first fraction of fine particles is from 5-15% of the total output of produced powder by weight.

Claim 7

The method according to claim 4, wherein the first fraction of fine particles is less than 40% of the total output of produced powder by weight.

Claim 8

The method according to claim 6, wherein the agglomerates leaving the internal fluid bed in the drying chamber and the second fraction of fine particles leaving the separating device are united and led to the external fluid bed.

Claim 9

The method according to claim 7, wherein the water atomized in the external fluid bed is from 4 to 5% of the total output of produced powder by weight.

Claim 10

The method according to claim 7, wherein the water atomized in the external fluid bed is less than 8% of the total output of produced powder by weight.

Claim 11

The method according to claim 9, wherein the water atomized in the external fluid bed is atomized through at least one two-fluid nozzle.

Claim 12

The method according to claim 10, wherein the product in the fluidized layer in the external fluid bed is horizontally moved from an inlet to an outlet of the fluid bed going through the steps of further agglomerating, drying and cooling of the agglomerates.

Claim 13

A plant for producing an agglomerated powder of a milk product or a mother's milk substitute product, comprising: a) a drying chamber; b) an atomizer arranged in the drying chamber for atomizing a concentrated liquid feed of the product in the drying chamber to produce fine particles; c) means for recirculating the fine particles to a wet zone around the atomizer to perform an agglomeration of the product; d) an internal fluid bed in the drying chamber for accommodating the resulting agglomerates; e) an external fluid bed with a fluidized layer of agglomerates; f) means for transferring the agglomerates from the internal fluid bed to the fluidized layer of agglomerates in the external fluid bed; g) a separating device for splitting the fine particles up into first and a second fractions; h) means for transferring the fine particles from the drying chamber to the separating device; i) means for leading the first fraction of fine particles to the wet zone around the atomizer in the drying chamber; j) means for leading the second fraction of fine particles to the external fluid bed; and k) a second atomizer in the external fluid bed to atomize water over the fluidized layer of agglomerates to perform a further agglomeration of the product.

Claim 14

A plant for producing an agglomerated powder of a milk product or a mother's milk substitute product, comprising: a) a drying chamber; b) an atomizer arranged in the drying chamber for atomizing a concentrated liquid feed of the product in the drying chamber to produce fine particles; c) means for recirculating the fine particles to a wet zone around the atomizer to perform an agglomeration of the product; d) an internal fluid bed in the drying chamber for accommodating the resulting agglomerates; e) an external fluid bed with a fluidized layer of agglomerates; f) means for transferring the agglomerates from the internal fluid bed to the fluidized layer of agglomerates in the external fluid bed; g) a separating device for splitting the fine particles up into first and a second fractions; h) means for transferring the fine particles from the drying chamber to the separating device; i) means for leading the first fraction of fine particles to the wet zone around the atomizer in the drying chamber; j) means for leading the second fraction of fine particles to the external fluid bed; and k) a second atomizer in the external fluid bed to atomize water over the fluidized layer of agglomerates to perform a further agglomeration of the product.

Claim 15

A plant according to claim 12, wherein the separating device comprises a weighing device for weighing the first fraction of fine particles.

Claim 16

A plant according to claim 13, further comprising adjustable means for controlling the velocity of the first fraction of fine particles when introduced to the wet zone around the atomizer in the drying chamber.

Claim 17

A plant according to claim 14, further comprising means for pneumatically transferring the first fraction of fine particles from the separating device to the drying chamber.

Claim 18

A plant according to claim 15, wherein the atomizer in the external fluid bed consists of at least one two-fluid nozzle arranged inclined over the fluidized layer of agglomerates and pointing toward said layer.

Claim 19

A plant according to claim 16, wherein the fluid bed comprises means to vibrate the fluid bed and said bed between the inlet and the outlet has three sections for agglomerating, drying and cooling, respectively, the agglomerates.