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Spray Drying at the Bench Scale
A complete guide to the Armfield FT30 and FT80 systems for food and pharma applications.
A practical guide to bench-scale spray drying with the Armfield FT30-MKIII and the FT80 Tall Form spray dryer. Includes the FT81 inert-loop variant for solvent-based feeds, plus the application notes that matter for food and pharmaceutical formulation work.
What R&D teams do here
Spray-drying fundamentals
Atomisation, droplet trajectory, evaporation, and particle formation in the drying chamber.
FT30 vs FT80
When to specify the compact FT30-MKIII versus the larger Tall Form FT80, including chamber geometry effects.
Solvent feeds with the FT81
Inert-loop operation, solvent recovery, and explosion-protection considerations.
Particle engineering
Particle size, morphology, density, and reconstitution behaviour as a function of process parameters.
Encapsulation
Spray drying as an encapsulation route for flavours, probiotics, and sensitive APIs.
Scale-up to commercial
How bench-scale FT30 and FT80 process parameters relate to commercial spray-dryer specifications.
The Armfield range
The hub-relevant Armfield equipment Hoskin Scientific supplies and services in Canada:
FT30-MKIII Spray Dryer
Compact bench-top spray dryer for early-stage formulation work. Two-fluid nozzle atomisation; configurable inlet temperature and feed flow.
FT80 Tall Form Spray Dryer
Tall-chamber pilot-scale spray dryer for higher-throughput trials and larger-particle applications.
FT81 Inert-Loop Variant
Closed-loop nitrogen recirculation for solvent-based feeds, with condenser for solvent recovery.
Atomisation Accessories
Rotary atomiser, two-fluid nozzle, and pressure-nozzle options across the FT range.
Cyclone and Bag-Filter Options
Powder collection optimised for fine, sticky, or hygroscopic feeds.
Instrumentation
Inlet, outlet, and exhaust temperature sensors plus feed-flow control for fully reproducible runs.
Canadian application notes
Bench-scale spray drying in Canada is concentrated in food-science programmes (University of Guelph, AAFC Saint-Hyacinthe, AAFC Guelph) and a growing nutraceutical and pharmaceutical R&D community. The Armfield FT30 and FT80 are the most widely cited bench platforms internationally; Hoskin Scientific provides Canadian-side specification, training, and ongoing service.
Why specify through Hoskin Scientific
- Pre-purchase consultation — matching equipment to your process objectives, footprint, and utilities.
- Quotation in CAD — including landed cost, duty handling, and trade-compliant documentation.
- Installation and commissioning — on-site, by Hoskin technicians familiar with Canadian electrical and process service standards.
- Service, calibration, and parts — held in Canada to keep long-running R&D programmes on schedule.
Explore the six Armfield hubs
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the FT30 and FT80?
The FT30-MKIII is a compact bench-top spray dryer for early formulation work. The FT80 is a tall-form pilot-scale dryer for higher throughput and larger-particle applications.
Can the FT81 handle solvent feeds?
Yes. The FT81 is the inert-loop variant of the FT80 with closed-loop nitrogen recirculation and condenser for solvent recovery.
What atomisation options are available?
Two-fluid nozzle, rotary atomiser, and pressure nozzle options are available across the FT30 and FT80 range.
Can spray drying be used for encapsulation?
Yes. Spray drying is widely used to encapsulate flavours, probiotics, and sensitive APIs in protective matrices.
Get a Quote on Your spray-drying Lab
Specifying your first bench-scale spray dryer or adding a tall-form unit for higher-throughput trials? Our team will help you choose between the FT30, FT80, and FT81 based on your feed, particle, and solvent requirements.
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