by Bryce Rausch, Business Development Manager
Choosing the right drying method can dramatically impact the performance, shelf life, and cost of your powder product. At AVEKA, we specialize in both spray drying and fluid bed drying, and we often help clients determine which process best suits their application. While both techniques remove moisture from liquid or slurry materials, their mechanisms and end results differ significantly.
What is Spray Drying?
Box Dryer at AVEKA Fredericksburg and Tower Dryer at AVEKA Waukon
Spray drying transforms a liquid feed into a dry powder by atomizing it into a hot drying chamber. The fine droplets encounter hot air, evaporating the moisture almost instantly and forming dry particles.
Ideal for:
- Producing fine, uniform powders
- Heat-sensitive materials (due to rapid drying)
- Encapsulation of flavors, actives, or volatile ingredients
- Efficient for high-volume liquid drying
Common applications:
- Nutraceuticals and supplements
- Dairy powders and emulsions
- Fragrance and flavor encapsulation
- Animal Feed
- Preservatives
- Alternative Proteins
- Industrial
What is Fluid Bed Drying?
Fluid Bed Dryers at AVEKA Fredericksburg
Fluid bed drying uses a stream of heated air to suspend (fluidize) solid particles in a bed. This allows moisture to be removed efficiently from the surface of the particles, which are often granules, agglomerates, or coated materials.
Ideal for:
- Drying particles after agglomeration, coating, or granulation
- Increasing flowability and reducing dust
- Post-processing after wet granulation or extrusion
Common applications:
- Functional food blends
- Coated nutritional ingredients
- Industrial powders
When to Use Each Process
Choose Spray Drying when you need:
- Fine, uniform particles from a liquid feed
- Encapsulation of sensitive or volatile ingredients
- Quick drying for heat-sensitive actives
Choose Fluid Bed Drying when you need:
- Drying of solid particles after wet processes
- Enhanced flowability or reduced dustiness
- Simultaneous drying, coating, or agglomeration
At AVEKA, we offer:
- Spray drying with multiple nozzles and chamber configurations
- Fluid bed drying systems capable of batch and continuous operation
- In-house R&D to test and optimize formulations
- Support from pilot to full-scale production
Whether you’re developing a new powdered product or scaling up production, we’ll guide you toward the best-fit drying solution based on your material, goals, and budget.
Let’s Dry It Right
Still unsure which drying process is best for your product? Our team can evaluate your formulation and recommend a drying strategy that ensures stability, performance, and cost-efficiency.
Contact AVEKA to start the conversation or Request a Quote today.