It is proposed an experimental study to the development of particle morphology during drying, including phenomena such as expansion, bursting, cratering, and formation of internal bubbles. The drying rates and the retention or loss of highly volatile solutes will be investigated. A video camera will be used to record changes of drop drying while suspended from a hollow ceramic fiber, and in a pilot scale dryer. The project will have impact on understanding processes in the final drying region of spray dryers. Besides the improvement of the quality of the final product, the research aims the reduction of the environmental damage caused by volatile organic chemical release during drying. It is expected that the project will lead to improved physical understanding of drying, with potential practical application in food and chemical processing.
