Vacuum Dryer Developments Enable Multi-Purpose Processing

Now developed to be more than just a dryer, the Vrieco Nauta vacuum dryer is capable of performing a wide range of different processes, including filtration, high temperature and vacuum sterilisation, steam stripping, chemical and crystallisation reactions and vacuum drying.

This additional flexibility across a broad range of products can be further enhanced to include mechanical dewatering prior to drying, with the installation of a filer directly on top of the dryer or even inside the vessel. Developments of this well-respected piece of equipment offer maximum flexibility with minimum operator intervention to meet a competitive processing industry demand.

Using smart process engineering methods, the original multi-purpose sequences have been rearranged to deliver a 50% reduction in processing times, which also delivers potential energy savings too.

Process time is reduced not only by mechanical watering prior to drying but then by heating the extracted water, which is then recirculated back to the dryer, reducing the process heating time. Alternatively, the heated water is available to other processes.

Crystallisation can also be carried out in the vacuum dryer where the reactants can be first dissolved and reacted. The efficient mixing within the dryer accelerates dissolution and temperature control. Cooling of the liquid then initiates the crystallisation process. The crystals formed can be dried under vacuum.

Chemical reactions, including those where solids react with gases or liquids, can be handled very effectively with the high efficiency of the mixer ensuring a homogenous result in product conversion, while the reaction energy is efficiently removed or supplied by the efficient heat transfer within the dryer unit.

Hosokawa Micron Ltd, +44 1928 755100, info@hmluk.hosokawa.com, www.hosokawa.co.uk.