Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Atomization in spray drying breaks up the bulk liquid feed into a fine mist of droplets.
In pressure nozzle atomizers, this is achieved by forcing the liquid at high pressure through a small orifice, converting pressure energy into kinetic energy.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
To achieve fine atomization through a pressure nozzle, the feed must be supplied at very high pressures, typically between \(100\) and \(250\text{ bar}\).
Centrifugal pumps cannot generate these high pressures.
Screw pumps and standard diaphragm pumps are also unsuitable for delivering consistent flow at such high pressures.
Therefore, a positive-displacement high-pressure piston pump (or plunger pump) is used.
Piston pumps can easily handle high back-pressures and provide a steady, metered flow to the nozzle.
This steady flow ensures consistent droplet size distribution, which is important for uniform drying in the chamber.
This makes the high-pressure piston pump the standard choice for nozzle-type spray dryers.
Step 3: Final Answer:
In pressure nozzle atomization, energy is provided by a High pressure piston pump.