Drying and Thermal Solids Processing Spotlight - October 08

Helical Dryer

The Pilot HD 40 helical dryer is fully mobile and comes with a PLC-based control panel including wireless data logging for operation in hazardous-material areas. With a batch working capacity of 40 L, the unit can be used as a small production dryer or for test trials for scale-up to production-size batch mixer/dryers. Key features include a heatable shaft/mixing assembly, bottom discharge, only one mechanical seal, easy access for inspection, full cleanablility with CIP spray devices, and compact dimensions to fit into kilo labs and pilot plants.
KMPT USA Inc., Florence, KY 859-547-1100 www.kmpt.net

Vacuum Shelf Dryers

These vacuum shelf dryers are used to dry materials that cannot be agitated or must be processed in small batches. Material is loaded into pans or containers that are placed on heated shelves. Standard shelves are removable; designed for 30, 50, or 100 psig; and stay flat through years of operation. The heating medium is usually water or glycol; steam, oil, or other high-temperature fluid may be used. Applications include drying pharmaceuticals, chemicals, plastics, food products, and ceramics. Dryers are skid-mounted, piped, and wired, making them easy to install as stand-alone units or integrate into a cleanroom installation.
McGill AirPressure LLC, Columbus, OH 614-829-1200 www.mcgillairpressure.com

Jacketed Vacuum Dryer

This company offers a newly designed Horizontal Ploughshare jacketed vacuum dryer that is easy to clean. The full-access door across the front of the jacketed vacuum dryer provides for greater access to perform frequent cleaning operations. The new “Easy Clean” design provides a benefit to manufacturers that are concerned with cross-contamination from batch to batch in their operation due to allergens, flavors, colors, and formula changes. A free brochure is available.
Littleford Day, Florence, KY 800-365-8555 www.littleford.com

Dewatering-Drying System

This dewatering-drying system consists of a 30-in.-diam circular vibratory screener that removes oversize and undersize particles and up to 50 gal of water per minute, integrated with a 40-in.-diam circular fluid bed dryer that dries up to 700 lb of on-size particles per hour. The screener’s vibratory action causes oversize particles to discharge through a spout at the upper screen’s periphery, on-size pellets to discharge through an extended spout at the lower screen’s periphery, and undersize fines and water passing through the lower screen to discharge through a third spout. Circular (versus rectangular) configuration of the fluid bed dryer consolidates system components, eliminates need for heavy-gauge walls and braces, has fewer weld seams, cuts cleaning time by 50% or more, allows downsizing of vibratory motors, requires only one air inlet and outlet, and reduces cost, especially when finished to 3-A, FDA, and BISSC standards.
Kason Corp., Millburn, NJ 973-467-8140 www.kason.com