Drying and cooling technology for free-flowing product

Efficiency benefits can be obtained through the optimal selection and use of drying and cooling equipment such as Counterflow technology.

Drying applications for the Counterflow system include extruded snack foods, snack foods, breadcrumbs, extruded pellet foods, flaked products, pet foods, aquatic foods, oilseeds as well as industrial applications.

The Geelen Counterflow system uses the counterflow principle that is an efficient method of exchanging energy between any two flows of gases, liquids or solids. By applying this principle in the dryers, the amount of drying air is minimised and the amount of energy that can be transferred, maximised. This results in a lower air exhaust volume and a lower exhaust air temperature.

In counterflow dryer-coolers the product heat that is injected by hammermills, conditioners and extruders can be recovered. That energy is recovered in the form of warm air which can be re-used as make up air for the dryer.

Each counterflow dryer from Geelen has an internal air recirculation system that ensures only air with a high relative humidity passes the exhaust fan, according to the company. For a typical dryer this means that only 25-30% of the total drying air is ever exhausted.