edit) pel UAT Neneh Cla. Agee ay amore SNe =< gee s ro Pp Pubiication —< N eee | ue | — N Cet | Use our Equipment eer to get the inside 7 trackpmsuppliers and mastery of your proce: pF at Cine} tg 7 ¥ a x et BY ey ’ Vs 7 Resp: \4i 7 hie sel a ie Lea rol a ag ys K ful og i 6Dryers Expand Your Business by EX usiness is going great, nd production requirements are increasing, daily. Production is optimizing every piece of equipment in the line to pick up every lst bit of capacity to maximize output. Then, your company’s sales call for an increase in capacity. However, your situa tion may prohibit adding a new line. If the production bortleneck is your drying equip- ment and a capacity increase is critica, there are several options to consider Refurbish, expand, or buy new? All are practical options, Depending on the condi- tion of your existing equipment and the available space in your Facility, it is worth considering an upgrade refurbishment or expansion as a simple, cost-effective solu- tion for your production needs our Dryer If your dryer is creating production bottlenecks, consider whether a dryer refurbishment, upgrade or expansion will deliver the production capacity you need. By David J. Reynolds, Aeroglide Corp. Before You Decide, Update the Baseline Whether your drying equipment is thee year old or thirty, many things may have changed from its first day in operation that effec. its pesfermence, The original product specifications and even the types of products you dry may have changed, so ic is important to update your equipment’s The expansion module's frame should be designed to match the existing dryer. performance baseline. When examining hhow to keep up with operations, the frst step isto evaluate your existing equipment from a process and mechanical standpoint. Many times, there are simple fixes tha ccan be made to increase energy efficiency and also boost capacity. The heat source’ ability to maintain and exceed serpoint temperatures is critical when determin- ing if che equipment has the capability to produce more. Product characteristics such as moisture content can vary sporadi cally of on a long-term basis. Recognizing these variations will help you evaluate the equipment’ operating performance today vs. its iniial installation, Foran accurate baseline to determine how ‘much more capacity your drying equipment can handle, have the equipment evaluated and inspected. Some manufacturers have evaluation programs in place and will send an engineer to your facility for little or no cost. Take advantage of the manufacturer's customer service to help answer questions and assist with your equipment. Can | Refurbish or Upgrade? Ifthe dryer evaluation shows that your drying equip- ment is not operating specification, itis time to evaluate whether a refurbishment or ‘upgrade will deliver the production capacity you need. In many cases, a dryer refurbish ‘ment can bring production capacity back 10 its original design specifications — and potentially beyond, vom processhestingcom + February 2007 | 28Dryers Depending on the dryers current condi tion, an upgrade refurbishment may be an economical means of wringing. more production out of your existing equipment Typical upgrade refurbishments consist, of climinating airflow shortcireuits and replacing recirculation fans, heat source, conveyor components, internal panels and external doors, ete. If more production is the goal, upgrading the heat source and the recirculation and exhaust airflow may help. Will that be enough? The Need to Expand When all resources have been exhausted and tore production is sill required, a. dryer expansion can be a cost-ffciv option. Moat drying equipmenein operation has the cape bility to be expanded. Expansions to drying cever-chany 1g production world, There are many benefits to expanding your drying ‘equipment. Depending on the required pro duction increase and fature goals, an expan- sion 10 an existing dryer can cost significandly less than a new piece of equipment. 1 pas 2 Zone, 6 doer Over One of the most common benefits to expanding a dryer is the reduced need for plant modifications. Examine how much open space is available around the existing dryer. If a dryer can be expanded at 1 pss. Zen, coor yer its existing location (rather than moved and expanded, ‘or removed and replaced), the cost maybe reduced with fewer pieces of equipment requiring relocation, Depending on the plant layout, often minimal changes to upstream and downstream mate vial-handling equipment are required. IFnec cars the exhaust fin may be upgraded and any additional ducting. can_ be combined ‘with existing ducting. [Fsupplementary elec- trical conos are required, they ofen can be placed inside the exiting contol pan Most drying equipment in operation has the capability to be expanded In this example, a one-pass,two-zone dryer was expanded to a one-pass,three-zone dryer. A dryer man: tufacturer will work with your specific product to determine the proper sizing and configuration of the expansion ‘Minimizing Downtime During Expansion. Most expansion units are built at the deyer manufacturers facility and shipped to the destination for insellation. ‘The expansion module’ frame is designed to match the existing dryer, All components can be con- structed using the same material of construc- TEMPCO Anticipates Your Thermal Component % OTT 1K Plastics Processing —> Controlling Experience the Advantages of our Diverse & Innovative Products Learn more about Tempco's Thermal Component Technology in our 864 page Visionary Solutions Catalog, Request your free copy today! “Toll Free: 888-639-7707 26| February 2007+ n Electric Heater Corporation Contact us for complete details & specifications Phone: 630-380-2252 * Fax: 630-380-0232 nfo tempeo.comtion as the existing unit. At installation, the existing dryer is separated at a designated point and the expansion module is inserted, Expansions require minimal downtime and ‘can be installed within several days, Considering Process Parameters. In con- veyor dryers, the heated bed area is the most reliable scaleup factor when considering Increases in dryer capacity: For example, 2 33 percent increase in bed area should give 4 33 percent increase in capacity — pro- meters such as inlet vided thar other pa moisture, exit moisture, product densiy and bed depth remain the same. A an increase in conveyor speeds, the process parameters can remain unchanged, with no product In other styles of dryers, capacity may scterstis being affected be proportional to the nuumber of trays, the heated surface area or other parameters, Dryer expansions for these type of systems ‘can be planned that will retain the process parameters necessary to deliver the product characteristics you need. Supporting Your Decision Some dryer manufacturers will work with production and operations personnel to det ‘mine the existing equipments current ca spe= ity and what actions are esental to reach the desired. production goals. During this pro- cess the dryer manuficrurer can determi ifa relurbishmene will meet your production gous oF if an expansion will be required. Product specifications, current dryer design and existing physical condition will dictate whether more exhaust, cooling or any atsile iary equipment will be mandatory. The dryer manufacturer will beable to work with your spec product 0 determine the prope si ing for the increased wa prt removal and appro- configurations forthe expansion The dryer should never be the bortle- neck in your operation. There are cost effective options available if production requirements are increasing and the dryer has been pushed beyond capacity. Follow these steps to determine the requirements for up, ading oF expanding, Proof of Closure DUNGS Proof of Closure Solutions The DUNGS DMV Dual Modular Valve & SV Single Valve provide integrated solutions for all of your application needs... Both models avaliable with Proof of Closure to meet code requirements. f DUNGS Simplicity ‘The DMV features two vaives in one body, avaliable in single stage, two stage, fast opening or slow opening. The DUNGS SV features an inlet pressure rating of 10 PSI, and is rated NEMA Type 4 as standard. Complete systems 1/2” NPT to 5” ISO flanged avaliable DUNGS Advantage Both the DMV and SV family streamline your combustion systems with space and time sav- ing, direct mounted, system accessories avail- able. www. KARL DUNGS INC. 524 Apolio Drive Lino Lakes, MN 55014 (651) 792-8912 ‘SV-DLE 10051614 Dryers + Bvaluate che drying equipment to deter- imine if there is moze capacity available, * Consider if a series of simple fixes or an upgrade refurbishment will allow the deyer o meet future production requirements, + Investigate the option of an expansion 10 the exi ng equipment and its benefis to your process. A dryer expansion can be a low risk solution to your production chal: lenges, and help expand your business. Going through this process will help you make an educated decision whether to buy ‘new equipment or increase the capabilities of your existing dryer. PH David J. Reynolds is engineer, pats and refurbishments, at Aeroglde Corp, Cay, N.C 1 manufacturer of thermal process equip ‘ment, including dryers. For more information about Aeraglde’s drying systems and dryer expansion and upgrade capabilities, cal (800) 722-7483, e-mail sales@aeroglde.com or visit vu aeroglide.com, DUNGS® DMV-DLE 702622 vwowrprocesheatingcom + February 2007 | 27