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Belt Dryer: what it is, how it works and the advantages it offers
RP Engineering belt dryers are modular machines designed to dry plant-based materials such as bark, wood chips, sawdust, as well as grain waste, fruit, vegetables and paper waste, using low-temperature thermal sources such as steam, fumes, air or hot water generated by other industrial processes.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at how a belt dryer is built, how it works and the advantages it offers.
What is a belt dryer
A belt dryer is a machine used to dry plant-based materials by exploiting low-temperature thermal sources such as fumes, steam, air or hot water coming from other industrial processes. The NF model belt dryer manufactured by RP Engineering is built using top-down technology and a polyester fabric belt.
How a belt dryer works
Inside the belt dryer, the airflow moves from top to bottom, passing from the outside to the inside of the dryer. First, it passes through the heat exchangers located on the upper part of the machine, then it flows through the material.
Thanks to the fabric belt, it is possible to filter the airflow with extremely high efficiency. At the same time, a centrifugal fan creates negative pressure in the lower section of the belt, drawing in the process air containing steam and then expelling it into the atmosphere.
Below is a summary of the operating process of the belt dryer.
- The product is loaded into the dryer and spread through two screw conveyors
- The product passes through the drying zone, crossed by hot air produced by the heat exchangers and drawn in by the main fan
- Finally, the product is discharged through the horizontal screw conveyor
The airflow may also include recirculation systems, allowing significant energy savings and greater thermal efficiency.
What are the technical characteristics of a belt dryer
RP Engineering belt dryers are distinguished by the following features.
- Modular design offering the possibility to extend the machine structure in order to increase dissipative power and, consequently, production capacity
- Bolted structure entirely made of galvanized steel, requiring no on-site welding
- Highly breathable polyester belt with a very tight weave that retains dust emissions, ensuring high performance and low electrical consumption
- Possibility of outdoor installation through a self-supporting insulated structure or heat exchanger covering
- Constant control of loading screw conveyors, fan and belt motor through inverters to ensure continuous energy savings
- Belt cleaning system with brush/high-pressure air/high-pressure water
- Automatic belt centering system
- Fast installation thanks to the supply of partially pre-assembled modules
- Minimal maintenance requirements
- Low operating costs
- Very high performance
- Fully automatic machine operation without the need for an operator
The advantages of an RP Engineering belt dryer
A belt dryer offers the following advantages.
Quality of the dried product
Thanks to slow low-temperature drying, the product’s characteristics remain unchanged. During the drying process, no contamination occurs between the thermal carrier and the product.
Reliability
RP Engineering belt dryers ensure continuous operation for more than 7,500 hours per year and require extremely limited, almost negligible maintenance.
Automation
The belt dryers designed by RP Engineering operate completely automatically: they are equipped with humidity detection sensors and process management software. They also allow remote monitoring and control.
Low temperature
Belt dryers represent an energy recovery system with recirculation and/or preheating, as they exploit low-temperature thermal energy such as steam, water and fumes from 60°C generated by secondary processes.
Low emissions
As already explained, this type of machinery uses very low temperatures. In addition, the tightly woven belt fabric is able to filter dust, thus ensuring low atmospheric emissions. Specifically, the belt fabric allows emission values below 20 mg/m3, fully complying with the strictest European Community regulations regarding atmospheric emissions.
Other advantages
In addition to all the characteristics described above, it should also be specified that a belt dryer operates automatically, performing the necessary adjustments through a humidity reading probe in order to achieve the required product moisture level.
This plant management system makes it possible to regulate the drying process according to specific production requirements, prioritizing elements such as:
- Output moisture level
- Maximum thermal energy used
- Maximum permitted production capacity
- Minimum return water temperature
The details of a belt dryer manufactured by RP Engineering
RP Engineering belt dryers include the following details.
- Double screw conveyor for material distribution
- Inverter-controlled motors
- Galvanized steel design
- Automatic material centering system on the belt
- Insulated drying tunnel with modular length
- Polyester belt with very high breathability and extremely tight weave
- High-efficiency, low-noise suction fans with suction and delivery connection joints
- Inverters for speed adjustment
- Heat exchangers with copper tubes and aluminum finned packs
- Rubber-coated drive roller
- Galvanized steel belt support rollers
- Mixer for product blending and moisture gradient homogenization
- Constant output humidity control system in the discharge screw conveyor
- Fire protection system with sprinklers
- Automatic dryer control system
- Possibility of remote control
RP Engineering belt dryers are also complete with accessories such as:
- Mixers
- Wet material refiners
- Product loading and screening systems
Would you like to install a belt dryer? Choose RP Engineering
With more than 25 years of experience, RP Engineering is a company specialized in the design, construction and installation of industrial systems for drying sawdust, wood chips and other materials used in pellet production.
Would you like to install a belt drying system in your company? Contact RP Engineering by filling out the dedicated contact form. We are specialized in the design and construction of modular, reliable and easy-to-use machines that utilize low-temperature thermal energy.
With customers all over the world, RP Engineering stands out for offering customized solutions and a complete “turnkey” service which, in addition to the design, construction and installation of the system, also includes pre-sales and after-sales assistance services.
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