Belt Dryer FBD

Machine description and operation

The Ferguson Belt Dryer was built to fulfill the requirements of the French Fries industry.

Some highlights:

	Hygienic design;
	Consistent product quality;
	Energy efficient.

Hygienic

Operation of the dryer is based on the open tunnel concept. In this concept, one or more sections are spread over one or more drying modules. Each module is a small dryer in itself, complete with recirculation fan, heating element and four separate doors giving access to the complete interior of the dryer. This allows for easy inspection, cleaning and maintenance.

Quality

The product is transported on a perforated stainless steel slat conveyor. The conveyor has small perforations which result in an even airdistribution.

Advantages

1. Even air distribution for homogeneous drying;

2. The high air speed improves drying performance at lower

    temperatures and higher humidity levels;

3. The previous point further improves quality, uniformity and

    reproducibility of the product;

4. If the belt is unevenly loaded, this will have no adverse effect on

    air distribution and consequently evaporation;

5. An updraft module or a tipping module is used to turn over the

    products or keep them separated during the process.

Energy efficient

There is only one air supply and discharge opening to each section. In this way the air inside the dryer is reused and maximum humidity is achieved. A high humidity is ensured by controllable air refreshment (based on a relative humidity meter), so that heating of fresh air can be minimised. Result: an energy efficient drying process.

Application

In addition to dryers for the French Fries industry, Ferguson produces dryers for croûtons, mattresses and coffee concentrate for instance. Coffee concentrate is often dried in a special impingement drying process allowing delicate or flat products to be dried. A test dryer can be used to select the best solution.

Major advantages

	Uniform drying process;
	Optimum process control, guaranteeing consistent optimum product quality;
	Low process temperatures, there-fore low operating costs:

Belt Dryer FBD (pdf, 528 KB)