ANDRITZ Separation was among the first to introduce fluidized bed technology for use in industrial drying – a drying method achieving the requested polymer product quality in an efficient process.
Petrochemical and polymer producers have installed more than 1,000 of ANDRITZ Separation machines to date, many of them still running 24/7 after over 40 years in operation. One example is our fluid bed drying technology with immersed heat exchangers, which ensures highly energy-efficient drying at low temperatures, thus preventing product degradation. This ideal combination of convective and contact drying in the same equipment leads to the smallest possible plant footprint. The technology also enables a gas-tight and pressure-resistant design, which the parameters of some polymer products simply demand. Our reliable fluid bed drying systems have been serving this challenging application for decades. ANDRITZ has the capability to offer mechanical separation and drying as one package.
Fluid bed dryer for petrochemicals and polymers (high-density polyethylene)
Experience makes the difference
With our experience and target-oriented development of process solutions in our pilot plants, we are able to provide you with the optimum solution for your process at any time. Polymers from suspension polymerization processes are mainly temperature-sensitive. Thus, it is important to choose the right drying technology to achieve the requested product quality in an efficient process. Fluidized bed dryers with integrated heat exchangers are a significant advantage in drying high production capacities efficiently at a low temperature level. High heat flux rates can be achieved with efficient, integrated heat exchangers designed specifically for the application and used for indirect heat transfer to the product. This provides the opportunity to minimize the size of the fluidized bed drying system and all its components. A significant reduction in energy consumption can be achieved, compared to only direct heat transfer to the product by fluidization media. ANDRITZ provides tailor-made solutions for drying and cooling of powder and pellets in static and vibrating fluidized beds.
Drying and cooling in a closed-loop system
Some of the polymer solvents are flammable or explosive. Using our many years of experience in drying of explosive goods, our specialists will choose the optimum safety measures for your projects. Feasible options are a pressure-resistant or pressure shock-resistant design with pressure relief devices, non-sparking component design, explosion suppression systems or drying in inertized closed gas loop systems (N2, CO2).
Drying of HDPE in a closed gas loop system
YOUR BENEFITS
• Tailor-made systems to meet your particular needs
• Maximum energy efficiency from optimized process configuration
• Customized product quality
• Low costs over the entire life cycle for operation and maintenance.
• Extensive test facilities to resolve your specific drying challenge
• Market leader in fluidized beds with incorporated heat exchangers
• Line capacities from 100 kg/h to 60 t/h
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