Spray Dryers

Precision Drying Solutions for Every Industry
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Spray dryers are important equipment used to rapidly convert liquids into free-flowing powders with controlled particle size. They are widely used in pharmaceutical, new energy, food material processing, advanced materials science, and biotechnology applications.

PI-KEM supplies a broad range of spray dryers, distributed on behalf of Pilotech, who have decades of experience producing high quality laboratory equipment.

Designed for reliability, high recovery, and easy operation, Pilotech spray dryers deliver advanced drying technology for research, development and pilot-scale applications.

Why Choose Pilotech Spray Dryers

  • Wide Capacity Range – From benchtop lab units (500 mL/h capacity) to pilot scale systems (10 L/h)
  • Versatile Applications – Suitable for aqueous solutions, organic solvents, heat-sensitive compounds, sugars, nano particles, ceramics, and more
  • Sensitive Feedstock Materials - Can dry abrasive, corrosive, flammable, explosive, or toxic feedstock in the form of a solution, slurry, paste, gel, suspension or melt type (as long as it is pumpable)
  • High Material Recovery & Quality – Efficient drying with excellent powder yield and uniform particle distribution
  • User-Friendly Controls – PLC controls and colour touch screen interfaces with customisable language options for intuitive operation. Adaptable to fully automatic control
  • Compact & Stable – Small footprint, low noise, easy cleaning and maintenance make them ideal for R&D and pilot environments
  • Upgradable & Customisable – Expand functionality with vacuum modules, inert loop systems, and low-temperature, and ceramic-specific drying options
  • What is Spray Drying?

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    Spray drying is a continuous process that transforms liquid feed into dry powder. The liquid is atomised into fine droplets inside a heated chamber, where rapid solvent evaporation produces dry particles which are then collected via a cyclone separator, bag filters, or electrostatic precipitators.

    Key parameters, such as inlet temperature, feed rate, and airflow, are digitally managed via an integrated control system. Decreasing the inlet temperature or humidity level increases the powder particle size.

    Spray drying enables the mixing of two individual components into one, allows for the aseptic production of pharmaceuticals, and reduces the cost of product handling and transport. It is an ideal technique for products that cannot withstand direct heating.

    It is one of the most widely used drying techniques in research and industry due to its speed, scalability, and ability to preserve the properties of sensitive materials.

  • Applications & Industries

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    • Pharmaceuticals – Development of APIs, excipients, probiotics and heat-labile drugs with strict control over thermal exposure. Extends their shelf life, reduces bacteria exposure and makes it easy to use by patients
    • Chemicals & Materials – Polymers, catalysts, ceramics and oxide powders for advanced materials, paint powders, nanomaterials, conductive powders, detergent and surfactant powder production, and specialty chemicals
    • Industrial – Separating waste and liquid in waste treatment, and the recycling of liquid and using the waste in manure manufacturing
    • Biotech & Life Sciences – Drying biological suspensions, enzymes, proteins and cultures with preserved activity
    • Energy & Advanced Materials – Cathode and anode materials for lithium-ion and solid-state batteries, nano-composites and functional coatings, SOFC electrolyte and electrode materials
    • Food & Nutrition – Milk powders, eggs, instant coffee, juices, spices, plant extracts and food additives. Extends the lifespan of these products and reduces the transportation cost
  • Spray Dryer Product Lines

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    Benchtop & Laboratory Models

    Compact Entry-level laboratory systems ideal for small sample volumes and routine R&D. Borosilicate glass drying chambers allow direct visual observation of the drying process. PLC touchscreen control, low noise design, and a compact footprint make these units straightforward to operate in a standard laboratory.

    Model Features
    YC-500 Bench-top Spray Dryer
    • Lab-scale spray dryer delivering up to 500 mL/h capacity
    • Minimum sample volume as low as 10–20 mL
    • Perfect for screening tests and small R&D batches
    • Easy to upgrade to inert loop or vacuum low-temperature systems
    YC-015 Mini Spray Dryer
    • Lab spray dryer with 1,500 mL/h capacity
    • Compact footprint and proven reliability for routine lab drying
    • Efficient performance with very short set-up times

    Pilot Scale Spray Dryers

    Pilot-scale systems bridge the gap between laboratory research and full-scale production, supporting higher throughput.

    YC-018 Pilot Scale Spray Dryer
    • Maximum capacity 3,000 mL/h with smallest sample volume 100 mL
    • Highest powder recovery rate up to 92%
    • Can spray dry materials with high sugar content, without residue sticking to the walls
    • Can meet ultra-high temperature drying requirements of ceramics and other advanced materials
    YC-019 Lab Pilot Spray Dryer
    • Excellent for larger sample runs, with 5 L/h capacity and minimum 100 mL sample volume
    • 1m² footprint for easy integration into a lab environment
    • Suitable for heat-sensitive materials
    YC-029 10L/H Pilot Scale Spray Dryer
    • For more demanding scale-up studies, with a footprint < 2m²
    • The best choice for your laboratory when preparing ceramic powder
    • Also suitable for minerals, metals, pharmaceuticals and biological material

    Advanced & Specialty Drying Systems

    Inert Loop Spray Dryers
    YC-015A, YC-018A
    • Nitrogen circulation (or other inert gas) and oxygen monitoring for safe drying
    • Suitable for aqueous solutions, organic solvents and flammable and toxic materials
    • Inert loops can be added as modifiers to other spray dryer models
    Low Temperature Spray Dryers
    YC-1800
    • Designed for temperature-sensitive materials such as probiotics, proteins, and other biological material that cannot withstand conventional inlet temperatures
    • Temperatures as low as 105°C, while still achieving effective moisture removal
    • Available in lab-scale and pilot-scale models
    Vacuum Spray Dryers
    YC-2000, YC-510, YC-2100
    • Operate under reduced pressure inside the drying chamber, lowering the boiling point of the solvent
    • Enables drying at temperatures as low as 60°C — essential for highly sensitive biological and pharmaceutical materials
    • Available in lab-scale and pilot-scale models
  • Technology You Can Trust

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    Each Pilotech spray dryer is engineered using premium components to give you reliable performance, repeatable results and easy usability. Whether you’re optimising formulations or scaling up processes, these dryers help shorten development cycles and improve product quality.

    At PI-KEM, we’re committed to providing industry-leading support – from helping you choose the right model, through to installation guidance, operation training, maintenance tips and spare parts supply. Our decades of experience ensures that you get the spray dryer that perfectly suits your research gaols and environment.

  • Need help choosing the right spray dryer? Get in touch.

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    Interested in a quote, technical datasheet, or customised spray dryer solution? Reach out to our team today and discover how Pilotech spray dryers can elevate your process.

    Our expert team has in-depth knowledge of the Pilotech range and can help you identify the most appropriate model based on your feed material, solvent system, required scale, and target particle characteristics.

    Ready to order your ultrasonic welding system?

    📞 Call our technical team on  01827 259250

    📧 Email  sales@pi-kem.co.uk

    📝 Complete our online enquiry form

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