The effect of low air-to-liquid mass flow rate ratios on the size, size distribution and shape of calcium alginate particles produced using the atomization method

This study investigated the effects of atomization at low air-to-liquid mass flow rate ratios (m)over dot(air)/(m)over dot(liq) on the size, size distribution and shape of the calcium alginate (Ca-alginate) particles produced. It was found that the (m)over dot(air)/(m)over dot(liq) ratio must be greater than 0.0011 to atomize a 20 g/L sodium alginate solution. Ca-alginate particles with a broad mean sizes ranging from 50 to 2300 mu m were produced using a (m)over dot(air)/(m)over dot(liq) ratio lower than 3.5. The change in particle size was most significant when the (m)over dot(air)/(m)over dot(liq) ratio was below a critical value 0.25. An increase in the (m)over dot(air)/(m)over dot(liq) ratio decreased the mean particle size but increased the particle size distribution. The particles became more spherical with an increase in the (m)over dot(air)/(m)over dot(liq) ratio. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.