Calcium alginate bead manufacture: With and without immobilised yeast. Drop formation at a two‐fluid nozzle

Abstract

Two models were developed to predict the size of drops of aqueous sodium alginate solution formed at a two‐fluid nozzle. Experimental results revealed that actual drop sizes lay between the sizes predicted by the two models. Drop size was closely predicted by the volume mean of the two models. Several nozzles were tested and the influence of operating conditions on drop diameter was examined, with gas velocity and nozzle outer diameter having the largest effect. Only two nozzles would be needed to produce drops with diameters in the range 1–6 mm. The addition of yeast in amounts of up to 10% (w/w) had no effect on operation of the nozzles.