ROSS INLINE ROTOR STATOR MIXER SOLVES SPRAY DRYER CLOGGING PROBLEMS
A major chemical company produces a catalyst for use in internal chemical processing. This catalyst includes a mixture of silica and metallic salts and is manufactured in a 2500 gallon reactor. To dry the catalyst, the fully reacted catalyst stream is pumped to a spray dryer. The spray dryer nozzles clogged frequently and needed to be disassembled every day for cleaning. Initially it was thought that the clogging was due to the settling of solids in the reactor. A propeller agitator was added to the reactor, which solved the settling problem, however, the spray dryer was still clogging daily. A Ross Inline High Shear Rotor-Stator mixer was installed at the outlet of the reactor. The catalyst stream is exposed to the high shear conditions as it leaves the reactor and the clogging problems were eliminated.