Definition

Verb: - To dry a liquid or slurry by atomizing it into a fine spray and exposing it to a flow of hot gas. This process rapidly evaporates the moisture, leaving behind a dry powder.

Usage

The verb "spray-dry" describes an industrial or laboratory process. It is typically used in technical, manufacturing, or scientific contexts. - It is a transitive verb (e.g., to spray-dry milk). - It is often used in the passive voice (e.g., The solution was spray-dried).

Examples

• The manufacturer will spray-dry the liquid concentrate to produce instant coffee powder.
• Many pharmaceuticals are spray-dried to improve their stability and solubility.
• This machine can spray-dry large quantities of fruit juice into a fine, free-flowing powder.

Advanced Usage

• As a participial adjective: The resulting product can be described as "spray-dried."
  • Spray-dried plasma is used in animal feed.
  • The recipe calls for spray-dried egg white.

Variants and Related Words

• Spray-drying (n): The process or technique of drying by this method.
  • Spray-drying is an efficient method for creating powdered flavors.
• Spray dryer (n): The apparatus used to perform this process.
  • The new spray dryer increased production capacity.

Synonyms

• Atomize and dry: A descriptive phrase for the process.
• Convert to powder via aerosol drying: A more technical description.

Notes on Meaning

This term has a single, specific technical meaning related to a drying process. It does not have common idiomatic or figurative uses.

Verb

1. dry by bringing into the form of a spray, through contact with a hot gas