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ROTARY DRYER
HANDBOOK
a product of
Contents
INTRO
About FEECO
10
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRYING
Rotary Dryer or Fluid Bed Dryer?
16
18
19
23
25
26
CONCLUSION
What Makes an Industry Leading Rotary Dryer Manufacturer
29
31
THE
ROTARY DRYER
HANDBOOK
Introduction
FEECO International was founded in 1951 as an engineering and manufacturing company. We quickly became
known as the material experts, able to solve all sorts of material processing and handling problems, and now
serve nearly every industry, from energy and agriculture, to mining and minerals.
As experts in the field of thermal processing, FEECO has been solving problems through material testing, process
development, and custom thermal processing equipment, including rotary dryers, since the 1950s. Weve helped
our customers process hundreds of materials into value-added products, eliminating handling and transportation
problems, improving product characteristics, and creating marketable products.
FEECO US Headquarters
Intro to
ROTARY
DRYERS
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drying technologies.
everything in between.
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ROTARY DRYER
OPERATION
HOW ROTARY DRYERS WORK | DIRECT VS. INDIRECT | SIZING & DESIGN
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Combustion
Chamber
Burner
Raw Material
Feed Chute
Riding Ring/Tire
Exhaust Handling
System
Gear/Sprocket
Guard
Flights
Discharge
Breeching
Drive Assembly
Product Discharge
Riding Ring
Graphite Block
Lubrication Assembly
Thrust Roller
Assembly
Trunnion Wheel
Coupling
Guarding
Gear
Reducer
CLOSE-UP:
DRUM BASE
Trunnion
Guard
Girth Gear
Pinion Gear
CLOSE-UP:
DRIVE ASSEMBLY
Pillow Block
Bearing
chamber lifespan.
Raw Material Feed:
Burner:
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Air Seal
Thrust Rollers
Trunnion Wheels
Drive Assembly
Flights
Product Discharge
Discharge Breeching
The discharge breeching is where two main functions
Riding Ring
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Dryer or Kiln?
When looking for an industrial
drying solution, there is often
confusion on whether the best
solution would be a kiln or a dryer.
These products may share similarities,
but they are each intended for very
different applicaitons.
Rotary dryers are used primarily to draw
moisture out of a material and operate
at temperatures between 800 1400F.
Because of these low temperatures,
they are not used to cause a phase
change or chemical reaction
within a material.
Conversely, rotary kilns operate at
much higher temperatures typically
between 1000 - 3000F with their
primary objective being to cause a
phase change or chemical reaction.
While rotary kilns can sometimes aid in
the drying process, this is not their
primary objective. Therefore,
customers looking for an
industrial drying solution should
stick with rotary dryers.
Common Add-Ons:
Advancing Flights
Advancing flights help to advance material into
the drum, in order to prevent buildup near the wet
feed discharge. Incorporating advancing flights into
a rotary dryer also gives material a chance to dry
before it hits the next flights, a process which can help
prevent potential sticking issues.
Knocking Systems
Knocking systems help to prevent build-up within the
dryer, by knocking off material as the drum rotates.
Various options are available for knocking systems.
For more information on knocking systems, see our
Knocking Systems Brochure.
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Direct vs.
Indirect Drying
Direct dryers are used far more frequently than their
indirect counterparts, because of the efficiency
they offer. And while direct-fired rotary dryers are
most often the selected drying method, indirect
rotary dryers are a valuable alternative for specific
processing needs.
Operation
While both types of dryers are comprised of a rotating
drum in which the processing occurs, these two types
of dryers utilize very different methods to process
the material.
Direct-fired dryers rely on direct contact between
the material and drying air to efficiently dry materials.
Efficiency is further increased by the addition of lifting
Sweep Air
Material of Construction
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Rotary Dryer
Sizing & Design
Bulk Density
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Material Limitations
Materials are often accompanied by limitations
that will steer the design process in one direction or
another. Such is the case with materials that have the
potential for combustion in certain settings, or when
a material requires absolute sterility. In unique cases
such as these, a direct-fired rotary dryer would not be
an option, so an indirect-fired dryer would be used
instead. The need for sterility can also dictate the
material of construction used for the shell of the dryer.
Other examples of material limitations that can affect
the design process include:
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Processing Environment
In addition to material characteristics, the processing
environment can also have an effect on dryer design
and sizing. Things such as humidity, elevation, and
temperature can all change how a dryer will perform
and how much energy will be required to produce
the desired results.
Flight Design
The flight design inside the rotary dryer is also
engineered around the materials unique
characteristics. The objective with flight design is to
create the ideal curtain of material. The curtain
refers to the span of material created as the material is
dropped from the flights, through the drying air. Ideally,
the curtain will span the width of the interior of the
drum, evenly falling from one side to the other.
The optimal curtain is created through designing
the flights and flight pattern around material
to the material.
Air-Flow
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burner efficiency.
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the recycled air to a point where it would no longer be finding the balance between how a material will
beneficial for pre-heating.
Retention Time
Retention time is also an important consideration
requirements.
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Considerations in
DRYING
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Rotary Dryer or
Fluid Bed Dryer?
dryers have been used for more industrial applications, to leave an operation at a standstill. Feedstock with
such as minerals, fertilizers, and aggregates, while fluid lumps or inconsistencies in moisture content can cause
bed dryers have been used more in the pharmaceu-
Material Considerations
Rotary dryers have been called the workhorse of
Spatial Footprint
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Operational Considerations
Fluid bed dryers are much less suited for these types
of situations, requiring a consistent processing environment. Variations in feedstock, or power outages can
bed dryer.
Energy Consumption
Energy Consumption
Thermal Efficiency
Capital Costs
Comparable
Spatial Footprint
Large footprint
Small footprint
Modular design allows for easy operational
growth
Maintenance
Requires more
Requires Less
Feedstock Variance
Insensitive to variance
Industry
Minerals
Fertilizers
Raw Materials
Pharmaceuticals
Specialty Chemicals
Foodstuffs
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Challenges in
Rotary Dryer Processing
Rotary dryers may be the workhorse of the industrial
drying industry, but that does not mean they are
without challenges. Different materials can present
unique challenges, and will require careful preparation
in many cases, and routine maintenance in others, in
order to prolong the life of the rotary dryer and ensure
processing efficiency is maintained. The most common
challenges faced in rotary dryer operation include:
build-up, abrasion, and corrosion.
Build-up
While rubber, ceramic, or even stainless steel liners
offer an effective solution to preventing build-up in
other rotary drum applications, where heat is used,
such as in the case of a rotary dryer, liners are not
typically an option. Because heat causes materials to
expand, and different materials expand at differing
rates, installing a liner into a rotary dryer would more
than likely result in problems. For this reason, knocking
systems are the most common way to address
build-up in a rotary dryer.
There are three basic designs for knocking systems:
ball & tube knockers, hammer knockers, and pneumatic hammer knockers. Each design is mounted to
the exterior of the drum, and serves to knock off
potential build-up as the drum rotates. No matter
which design is chosen, a wear plate or band is also
installed to protect the shell of the drum from the
knocking, while still allowing the vibration from the
knock to dislodge any potential build-up within
the drum.
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between the material of construction and the material prevented in order to prolong the life of the dryer.
to be processed is particularly important to understand
in preventing corrosion. Since corrosion is a chemical
action, one must understand how the material being
processed will react with the materials of construction.
Choosing stainless steel or alloys when fabricating a
rotary dryer will help to minimize corrosion. Protective
coatings can also be an option to protect the shell of
a rotary dryer, with a variety of choices available.
When processing a material that is corrosive or
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To Test Pre-Conditioning
Residence time
process. This might include testing a recycle loop, adding in a back-mixing process prior to the rotary dryer,
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Automation
The FEECO Innovation Center offers an extensive
of a system purchase.
Horsepower
Amps
Feed rate
Hertz
Temperature
Flow Rates
Torque
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INSTALL &
MAINTENANCE
INSTALLATION TIPS | ALIGNMENT | PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE
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Ensuring A Smooth
Dryer Installation
not done
handled improperly
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of knowledge for answering installation and operation- install. Its worth mentioning also, that the proper tools
al questions on the spot. Furthermore, they can train
Plan Ahead
carrying out a seamless rotary dryer installation. Ideally, for a new crane to arrive and be mobilized before
the equipment purchaser, manufacturer, and installa-
pre-alignment to be completed.
dryer installation.
simple conference between the equipment purchaser, installing contractor, and original manufacturer.
according to plan.
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Laser Alignment
re-aligned.
of the dryer.
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Just like a car, a rotary dryer needs routine maintenance in order to continue running properly. Though
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Alignments
Gear replacements
Re-alignment
Annual inspections
Training programs
Tire Grinding
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CONCLUSION
WHAT MAKES AN INDUSTRY LEADING ROTARY DRYER MANUFACTURER? | FEECO COMMITMENT TO QUALITY
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Material Knowledge
Flexibility in Customization
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development process.
High-Quality Fabrication
Choosing a manufacturer that will accommodate the
rigors of processing material in a rotary dryer is vital.
Rotary dryers should be built using high quality
materials so they can provide years of reliable
processing. Attention to details, such as a corrosive
material, can be the difference between a dryer
that lasts a few years, and a dryer that lasts for
decades.
Ongoing Support
An industry-leading rotary dryer manufacturer does
not just build rotary dryers; they service them too.
Choosing an equipment supplier that will provide
ongoing support in the way of install services, training,
maintenance, parts, and emergency services is
crucial to the life of your industrial drying system.
While they may be relatively low-maintenance, rotary
dryers still require routine maintenance to prolong the
life of the drum and continue efficient operation.
Routine maintenance such as oil changes,
re-alignment, and tire grinding will keep your rotary
dryer in operation for years to come. A leader in rotary
dryer manufacturing should have a solid service
department, staffed by experienced technicians.
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Innovation
The FEECO Innovation Center can
aid in everything from feasibility
testing, to process design and
product development.
+
Aftermarket
Our Aftermarket
Engineering Team is
ready to serve, from
routine maintenance,
to emergency
service.
Engineering
Since 1951
We engineer custom
solutions to meet
your unique needs.
Manufacturing
We manufacture the best
heavy-duty processing
equipment around.
3913 Algoma Rd. Green Bay, WI 54311, USA Phone: (920)468.1000 Fax: (920)469.5110 Email: sales@feeco.com www.FEECO.com
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DRYER HANDBOOK | 31
Factory 4, 4 Bormar Drive, Pakenham, Victoria, 3810, AU Phone: 03 59404994 Fax: (920) 469-5110 Email: ausales@feeco.comROTARY
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