How to select the ideal drying technique for your company?

The majority of material processing techniques demand the use of industrial drying solutions, which are necessary yet frequently have high initial costs and short lifespans. Choosing the proper drying solution for your processing needs is extremely important since selecting the incorrect dryer can have long-term harmful implications on both the quality of the material and the financial health of the organization. Given the numerous industrial dryers that are available, each with unique benefits and drawbacks, this may seem like a difficult task.

There are several drying solution alternatives available for your industrial operation, ranging from the most traditional to the most cutting-edge. Depending on your needs, processing timeframes, product quality, and process efficiency can all fluctuate dramatically.

To ensure that the tested process can take a wet beginning product and generate a dry final product with the quality and standards you need, test materials using test drying solution equipment. The most important step in selecting the ideal dryer for your requirements is this one.

The sorts of drying systems you should consider before testing even starts can be narrowed down by six considerations.

Size & Density

As a starting point, it is important to look at the density of the material in the needed amount as well as the size of the individual particles in the substance being dried. Large materials will have different requirements than small materials, and a fine powder will require a different drying solution approach than a sludge of the same size.

Drying Moisture Content

Even though it might seem straightforward, this is occasionally overlooked when thinking about drying techniques. It is necessary to know both the starting moisture level and the end moisture content that the dryer should have obtained. Testing can help identify the weight differences between the wet and dry percentages. The size of the dryer is then chosen based on the volume of water that needs to be dried. If the percentage is even slightly inaccurate, the goal water weight can change dramatically, resulting in an improperly sized, inefficient dryer.

Response to Heat

Most drying methods use heat, however as the temperature reaches a certain point, some materials start to react to the heat. In rare cases, especially if the liquid being dried is a chemical solution, it could cause a chemical reaction. Other materials may melt or burn if they reach a certain temperature or are exposed to intense heat for an extended period of time. It's also conceivable that it will work normally in the presence of other heat sources but only exhibit unfavorable behavior when in contact with a particular type of heat source.

Handling materials

It's important to take both the material's wet and dry behaviors into account when selecting a drying solution. Some wet materials that are slow or sticky need to be run through the dryer to prevent material from clogging and backing up the line. Weirs or paddles can be incorporated into nonstick surfaces to maintain material flow as required. Clean in situ fittings can be fitted to keep the system clean and get rid of any potential buildup.

Requirements for Production

Determine whether you'll run the dryer continuously or in batches, and make sure the dryer is the right size for the expected output levels. An undersized dryer will clog and experience upset conditions if more material is fed through it than it can handle, which will lead to problems with the product's quality control and incomplete drying. Because of this, the dryer will burn out earlier than it would if it were designed properly. If the drying solution is too large for the volume of the product being produced, energy and fuel will be wasted. Depending on the product, it could also dry too rapidly or too much, possibly even igniting.

Efficiency and Price

Of course, price is a key factor to take into account when choosing an industrial drying solution. Both the initial capital investment and continuing operating costs are included in this. Compared to a dryer that is more expensive but more efficient, certain options may be initially less priced but use more energy and cost more to operate. The many fuel types utilized for drying should be considered, however pricing should be determined by long-term trends and estimates rather than by the current fuel price.