<;P>;PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress oxidation in vacuum spray drying and to improve efficiency in manufacturing food powder and the like. <;P>;SOLUTION: An inert gas such as nitrogen is used as a spray gas, the inert gas and a liquid material are sprayed into a vacuum spray drying tower by a two-fluid nozzle, and the powder prepared by drying the liquid material is obtained in the vacuum spray drying tower. The inert gas sucked by a suction system for reducing a pressure of the vacuum spray drying tower is circulated and recycled as the spray gas. <;P>;COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT