Using Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) Simulation to Predict the Silica Particle Size in Spray Dryer under the Influence of Colloidal Properties

The prediction of the particle tracking inside spray drying which equipped with tubular furnace is rarely investigated. Also, the relationship between the precursor used with the droplet characteristics is not elaborated. To this end, the CFD modelling was utilized to give better understanding about the particle track. Silica was used a model particle which prepared from sodium silicate (Na₂SO₃). The effect of colloidal properties e.g., solution pH and concentration on the produce silica particle’s size have been investigated in this research both theoretically and experimentally. The silica particle size and morphology changed by altering the pH of the solution from 8 to 11 and the concentration of the solution from 0.1 to 0.3 mol/L. This observation was validated by the presence of two different morphologies such as spherical and non-spherical doughnut-like particles. Numerical computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation was developed to predict the particle tracks and the generated average silica particle size in a spray drying. The application of the simultaneous mass transfer due to droplet evaporation was done in conjunction with a general dynamic equation solution which considered the initial droplet’s size. The experimental and theoretical result have results agree with approximately 5% minimum and 30% negative discrepancy. This happened owing to the morphological change in the silica particles.