Spray-drying apparatus and methods of using the same

A spray-drying apparatus comprising:

• a drying-gas conduit;
• a drying chamber having a first end, a second end, and at least one side wall extending between the first and second ends to define an interior of the drying chamber having a center axis;
• and
• a nozzle positioned at the first end of the drying chamber, the nozzle being configured to atomize liquid and spray the atomized liquid into the interior of the drying chamber,
• wherein the drying-gas conduit is in fluid communication with the drying chamber, and is configured to direct a flow of drying gas into the drying chamber, and
• a ratio of the length between the first and second ends to a maximum width between opposing internal surfaces of the interior of the drying chamber is at least 5 to 1, and
• at least a portion of the at least one side wall that surrounds the nozzle at the first end of the drying chamber extends away from the center axis at a first angle relative to the center axis, the first angle being at least 5° but less than 45°.