Experimental Equipment for Cooling and Packaging Foam-Spray-Dried Milk in the Absence of Oxygen

Abstract
Pilot scale equipment for cooling and packaging whole milk powder in an inert atmosphere immediately after drying has been designed, developed, and tested. Tests have shown than an O2 level of less than 0.01% in the head space gas of the finished package can be achieved. Liquefied inert gas is used to cool the powder and form a protective blanket in the conveying system which prevents O2 absorption. The powder is transferred without exposure to air to a specially designed glove box where it is packaged under an inert atmosphere.