The food industry is one of the largest commercial enterprises in the world today representing important contributions of the gross national product of many countries. Numerous raw materials and products in this industry are in powdered or particulate form, and their optimum handling and processing rely heavily in a deep knowledge of particle technology. Processing and design aspects of unit operations involving granular solids of particular relevance to the food industry are discussed. Theoretical considerations, operating principles, and applications of different techniques used in food powder processing are reviewed. The food industry should make more efficient use of its many recesses involving powders and particulates in order to provide high quality products. In this sense, future competitiveness may be critically dependent on knowledge originated by research activities in particle technology applied to food materials.
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