WHAT IS FLUID BED DRYER?

WHAT IS FLUID BED DRYER?

FLUID BED DRYER

The Principle of Fluid Bed Dryer is to create a fluidal turbulence in and a granulated or Powdery wet product by means of hot air (or dehumidified air) flowing in an upward Direction & to dry the same to the final required degree in a careful manner. 

SUITABILITY 

In Fluid Bed Dryer the wet material is transposed to a fluidized state by hot air stream that surrounds the material completely & therefore the heat Transfer rate achieved is very high & the temperature distribution throughout   the product is uniform. Due to this, drying time is considerably Reduced & therefore high production rates are achieved in comparison to other dryers. As the product is in the close contact with hot Air at low temperature & also for short duration, the physical & chemical properties of the product are generally not affected  & therefore the dryer can effectively be used for the heat sensitive products. Due to movement of

product during drying, lump   formation, case hardening etc., is minimized. The Fluid Bed Dryers are not suitable for drying of liquids or pasty material. 

  • FLUID BED PROCESSOR 

The principle of Fluid Bed Processor is to produce the uniform sized granules from the dry powder / crystalline material by addition of binder material and spraying the liquid solution through top spray atomizing nozzle, peristaltic spray pump etc. The liquid is transported to spray nozzle by peristaltic pump and mixed with compressed air to spray trial runs to achieve the optimum results and fine quality granules.

The success of processor also depends on good binder composition. The ingredients are PVP, KBO, CMC, Starch, Gelatin, Sugar Methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, Lactose

  • LOADING & UNLOADING OF MATERIAL

Material should be transferred to product bowl either manually or mechanically. Material unloading can be done by tilting the bowl and by manual operation. The unloading may be done means of Pn. Conveying system or mechanical tipper. 

  • EQUIPMENT SUBASSEMBLIES & PARTS 
  • MAIN BODY

M.O.C.            –  S.S. 316 / S.S. 304              THICKNESS  –  3 mm

It is a Cylindrical Retarding Chamber & Filter Bag Housing, Vertical Explosion Chamber etc. supported on slabs. A cylindrical bottom body resting on floor Level.

 The Accessories of main body are: –

  1. Vertical Cylindrical Body
  2. PC Bottom & Top Sealing Gaskets.
  3. Safety Device for PC.
  4. L / S Glass Windows
  5. Farthing Device
  6. Air Inlet Nozzle
  7. Blower Inlet Nozzle
  8. Explosion Frame & Flap (Vertical)
  9. Lifting Eyebolts & Lugs
  10. Spray Window & Cover
  11. Pneumatic Shaking Cylinder
  12. Pneumatic Component for PC Sealing
  13. Pneumatic component for bag sealing & shaking
  14. Bottom Dish, Leg supports.
  15. Bottom Drain Triclover union with blind cover
  16. Charging Nozzle
  17. CIP Nozzle & Manifold
  18. Manholes
  19. Support bracket frames
  20. Explosion duct extension and canopy.        
  • AIR INLET SHUT OFF VALVE

          M.O.C.  –  S.S. 304                                         THICKNESS   – 35 mm

It is an isolating valve between main body and air preparation unit. The type of valve is  On/Off. The flap is operated through a double acting pneumatic actuator. This remains close when the equipment is not in use or during bag shaking.

  • BLOWER INLET SHUT OFF VALVE 

M.O.C.  –  S.S. 304                                         THICKNESS   – 35 mm

This valve is provided between the blower suction nozzle & main body. The type Of valve   is On/Off. The flap is operated through a double acting Pneumatic Actuator and this valve also remain close when the equipment is not in use or during bag shaking.

  • AIR PREPARATION UNIT

M.O.C. –          S.S. 304                       THICKNESS  –  3 mm

It is Rectangular Housing to accommodate Air Filters (20+5 Micron, 3 Micron  & 0.3Hepa) and air heater. The one end is provided with filter Mounting frame while other with a transition duct for changing rectangular section to circular duct.

The Accessories Fitted are

  1. Steam Inlet & Outlet Nozzle
  2. Air Guide Cone
  3. Air Heater
  4. Δ P Connection Ports
  5. Access Door
  6. Hot & Cold Air Damper.
  7. Air Filter 20 + 5 Micron
  8. Fine Filter 3 Micron
  9. Hepa Filters 0.3 Micron
  10. Hepa test window with cover
  11. Hepa Filter fixing Frames
  12. Temperature Sensor Socket
  13. Lifting Lugs
  • PRODUCT CONTAINER & TROLLEY 
  1. PRODUCT CONTAINER 

M.O.C.   –   S.S. 316                                                   THICKNESS   – 3 mm

This is a conical shaped container having the formed end at top and a welded flange at bottom. The wet product is loaded in the container, as per its working capacity i.e. 250 kg.

Accessories fitted are: –

  1. Bottom perforated plate
  2. Dutch Weave Mesh
  3. L/S Glass window
  4. Quick change Clamps
  5. Sampling Device
  6. Support bars
  7. Temperature Sensor
  8. TROLLEY 

            M.O.C.  –  S.S. 304                                                     SIZE   – 40 NB PIPE

 This is a tubular structure to support the product container, provided  With Provided for S.S. 304 swivel castors and PU Wheels. There are four nos. Guide wheel brackets easy locating with main body. The  Product container can be transported from one place to other easily  with the help of trolley. 

  • DEHUMIDIFIER & MIST ELIMINATOR 

M.O.C.  –  S.S. 304 Tubes + Aluminium Fins

M.S. Water Box & Structural Support

The dehumidifier is provided at inlet side of FBD. This is being used to control the relative humidify of process air by removal of excess moisture at the particular temperature.

This is rectangular in shape with end flanges for connection with air inlet ducting. The chilled water is being circulated at a controlled flow rate through the finned tubes that condense the excess moisture present in process air. This condensate is being drained automatically from bottom of dehumidifier through a siphon tube.

The accessories fitted are.

  1. Chilled water inlet & outlet nozzle
  2. Sensor socket
  3. RH sensor socket
  4. Chilled water control valve
  5. Auto-drain siphon tube
  6. Lifting lugs
  7. Structural support etc.
  8. Mist Eliminator
  • EXPLOSION FRAME & FLAP: 

M.O.C   – S.S. 304 or Aluminium                   THICKNESS   – 32 G

The S.S. 304 or aluminium explosion flap comprising of 32 G. thick S.S. 304 foil  sand witched between S.S. Z frame + base frame & supported by a flat rubber gasket. This entire assembly is fitted on topside of main body as safety device. It suddenly releases the excess pressure developed inside due to explosion & prevents the equipment & building from damages.  It recommended that there should not be any obstruction in the vicinity of Explosion Flap up to a reasonable distance of about 3 meters or more. The suitable extensions Ducts may be provided to suit site requirements.            

 FILTER BAG SHAKING DEVICE:

`M.O.C.   –    S.S. 304

This is an automatic type bag shaking arrangement. When the bag Hanger & bag is connected through telescopic cylinder (3 stage),the shaking frequency and interval is variable parameters, which can be set through PLC controller. The bag Shaking is required to remove the adhered product particles on the bag contact surface to improve its permeability and avoid choking of the bags.

 The accessories provided are:

  1. Filter bag sealing gasket
  2. FBT housing ring
  3. Multiple finger filter bag
  4. Filter bag hooks
  5. Filter bag hanger
  6. Quick change coupling
  7. Cylinder for shaking & lowering
  • DUCTINGS

M.O.C.   –   S.S. 304 & M.S.              THICKNESS   – 2 mm / 3 mm

The ducting are provided between air preparation unit, main body, product Container, blower inlet etc. made out of S.S. 304, this ducting conveys the air through filters bags to the blower suction.Then the air is exhausted through the blower outlet ducting made out of M.S. The size & length of ducting are designed to suit the site requirements.

The duct flanges are provided with FGN rubber gasket and C.S. /S.S. bolt & nuts.            

  • a) BLOWER ASSEMBLY

           M.O.C.  –  M.S.                                   THICHNESS   – 4 / 5 mm

The blower is provided in the system to create an induced draft to pass the heated and conditioned air through wet product and create the fluidization state of material, which produces a uniformly dry product in a reasonably less time period.

The accessories of this assembly are:

  1. Dynamically balanced backward curved Aluminium Impeller
  2. Blower Casing
  3. Supporting Structure
  4. Anti vibration pads
  5. Blower suction nozzle
  6. Air guide cone
  7. Manually operated flow control damper
  8. Blower Inlet Shut Off Valve on/off type.
  9. Blower outlet extension duct
  10. Electric motor directly coupled with impeller
  11. Silencer

Direction of rotation of impeller is very critical & must be checked at the time of installation & trial run. Airflow is controlled through pn. Operated blower inlet shut off valve. This valve is located in the blower inlet duct and as near to main body as possible. The valve remains close during auto pneumatic shaking and at the end of process.   

  1. b)        SILENCER

                      M.O.C.  –  M.S.                                   THICHNESS   – 1.6 & 3 MM

The silencer is provided after the blower outlet damper & duct  the sound level up to 90 – 95 dB.

  The accessories / parts of silencer are: –

1)         Perforated shell                                   2)         Jacket Shell

3)         Sound absorbing material                   4)         End flanges

  1. c)         EXHAUST FILTER HOUSING

                       M.O.C.  –  M.S.                                   THICHNESS   – 3 mm

The exhaust filter housing will be normally installed between main body and the blower. This is provided with 5-micron air filters to arrest the fine particles escaping to atmosphere and caters the requirement of pollution control to some extent.

 SEALING GASKETS

M.O.C.  Food Grade Quality rubber Silicon / FGN Rubber

For sealing the product container top and bottom face, as well the filter bag bottom end,pneumatically operated inflatable sealing tubes are used. The tubes are inflated by compressed air at an operating pressure ranging of 1.8-to 2.2-kg/ cm². Low-pressure safety switches are provided for safety of products.

The accessories of the assembly are:

  1. Inflatable sealing gaskets.
  2. Pressure regulating valve with gauge.
  3. Pressure switches etc.
  4. Flow Control Valve.
  • CONTROL PANEL & POWER PANEL 

M.O.C.  –   Control Panel – S.S. 304                          THICKNESS   – 2 mm Thk.

M.O.C.  –   Pneumatic Panel   – S.S. 304                   THICKNESS   – 2 mm Thk.

M.O.C.  –   Power Panel – M.S.                                  THICKNESS   – 1.6 mm Thk.

  1. The S.S. 304 pneumatic control panel is integral with control panel & fitted with Pneumatic instruments viz.
  2. The SS 304 Control Panel is Top Pendent mounted type located suitably near equipment & fitted with Electrical & pneumatic Instruments Viz.
    1. Man machine Interface (MMI) or operator interface terminal of PLC (OIT)
    2. Audio Signal Hooter, Emergency off Push Button
    3. Push Buttons, Rotary Switches etc.
    4. Printer for data recording with s.s. Trolley
    5. Pressure gauges
    6. Pressure regulating valves
    7. Pressure gauges.

An operator can control the equipment operation & process through these control panels.

  1. The M.S. power panel is foot mounted Twin Cabinet self-supporting type, located away from the production area consisting of:
  2. PLC Controller
  3. Analog Modules
  4. Motor Contactors
  5. MCB’S
  6. Ammeter
  7. Voltmeter
  8. Indication Lamps
  9. Δ P Transmitters
  10. Cooling Fan & Air filters
  11. Panel Door Switch
  12. Connector terminals
  13. Earth safety relay
  14. Emergency Push Button
  15. Solid Flow Monitor
  16. Electrical

Due to high voltage switch gears, which are hazardous for flameproof areas, this panel is located away from equipment. At the non-production area same time maintenance becomes easier due to its remote location.