Next Generation Industrial Dryer Offers Smallest Energy Footprint Yet

Bühler Aeroglide, a global leader in thermal process engineering and technology for food, feed, and industrial materials, has introduced the next generation AeroDry industrial dryer.

Bühler’s industrial solutions continue to meet the most demanding market requirements, guided by customers, practical experience and advanced modelling. The new AeroDry industrial dryer is designed for extrusions, granules, flakes, briquettes, flakes, and raw feedstock products. It’s engineered to serve a wide array of processing applications including polymers, fine chemicals, minerals, catalysts, biomass, construction materials, organic and inorganic products, and agricultural and petrochemical derivatives.
“We are pleased to introduce the next generation of thermal processing for industrial applications, which gives manufacturers an advanced drying solution for both reliable and consistent results,” said Paul Branson, Director of Industrial Drying Technologies at Bühler Aeroglide. “As a broad-based industry solution for synthetic rubber, super absorbent polymers and materials, our engineers have perfected thermal processing and our proven technology to match customer requirements with the lowest energy footprint to date.”
Hallmarks of the next generation AeroDry  include robust, high-strength construction with an enhanced frame and enclosure integrity. These design features eliminate the loss of heated air, which reduces energy use as well as room contamination in the form of dust and vapours. Engineered for the most challenging drying conditions, the new AeroDry is suitable for production rates up 100 tons per hour while accommodating temperature extremes and managing thermal expansion requirements.
It’s also fully automated for operation without manual intervention, and this results in better management of product profiles and corresponding reduction in thermal energy through modulation of energy loads, as well as electrical power reduction requirements. A precision control system ensures uniform conveyor loading and maximises the overall consistency of the products final moisture content or thermal treatment.
For reliability and maintainability, the new industrial dryer allows 100% access to the full dryer interior and all moving parts. This translates into a higher sanitation capability and means the processor can expect a quicker changeover, without cross contamination, as well as an overall reduction in cleaning time. Processors will also find routine maintenance easier now that regularly serviced areas are externally designed to minimise downtime.
For critical applications with aggressive handling requirements, specially designed rotating pickers or breaker guides can be added to loosen the product on the conveyor, ensuring an even flow of product to the breaker system. Constructed of stainless steel, the picker system can be mounted in varying locations to optimise effectiveness.
Finally, the new AeroDry is accompanied by the same responsive service and global local support for which Bühler is known. “The company offers a full breadth of service to customers no matter where they are in the world, and this includes technical support, spare parts, and emergency services,” says Branson. “We also provide process evaluations, energy audits and training, all matched to the needs of the specific product, the specific customer, and the specific plant site.”