Spray Cooling Technology for The Production of Protected Choline Chloride 30%

Abstract

This paper examines the technological processes and factors influencing the quality formation of microgranules for a protected commercial form of vitamin B4 (choline
chloride) with a concentration of 30%. Through experimental analysis, the optimal size range for choline chloride microgranules was determined which fell between
250–800 μm. Microgranules within this range demonstrated superior protection levels (67%) and an active ingredient concentration of 30%. The production process consistently yielded microgranules with a uniform size distribution, with minimal instances of microgranules exceeding 800 μm or falling below 140 μm. To produce microgranules of the protected choline chloride form at a 30% concentration, a series of experiments was conducted using a pilot experimental line employing spray cooling. Through these experiments, optimal technological parameters were determined, including a feed pump frequency of 15 Hz, a mixture feed rate of 3.15 l/min, an air pressure of 5 kPa, a mixture temperature of 80 °C, and a viscosity of 0.021 Pa/s.
The obtained data on the correlation between the size distribution of microgranules and the feed rate of the molten mixture, as well as the pressure of the compressed
air from the spray head, align with previously published research findings. This indicates that changes in compressed air pressure can alter the surface tension of the
sprayed droplets. Notably, the viscosity of the solution remained at the required concentration (0.021 Pa/s) with minimal deviations from the calculated choline chloride concentration, resulting in a homogeneous distribution of the sprayed mixture. It is important to note that the viscosity of the solution was the required concentration
(0.021 Pa/s), since no significant deviations from the calculated concentration of choline chloride were observed, and therefore the sprayed mixture was quite homogeneous. All performed experiments demonstrated that microgranules with sizes smaller than 140 μm showed lower concentrations of choline chloride and exhibited reduced protection. This can be attributed to the higher presence of hydrogenated soybean oil in these microgranules, leading to a greater distribution of the active substance on the surface. The results of the conducted research and development endeavors are intended for deployment at the technological facilities of the high-tech production entity known as “Kormbiosintez” within the “Nadezhdinskiy” Priority Development Territory,
operated by “Arnika” LLC.