Fluidized Bed Dryers - Types and Advantages
Fluidized bed dryers (also known as fluid bed dryers) are a type of equipment that is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry to reduce the moisture content of pharmaceutical powders and granules. The device operates on the principle of fluidization of the materials being fed into it.
A perforated bed of moist solid
particulates is used in the fluidization process, and hot air is delivered at
high pressure through it. In this process, the moist solids are lifted from the
bottom and suspended in an airstream (fluidized state). Direct contact between
the moist solid and the hot gases results in heat transfer. The drying gases
pick up the evaporated liquid and carry it away.
Fluidized-Bed Dryers Configurations
There are many different varieties
of fluid
bed dryer processors, and being knowledgeable with the specific
characteristics of each type allows one to make a rational and cost-effective
decision when selecting a fluidized bed dryer for a particular drying process.
In many cases, several distinct
varieties may be available at the same price that provides equivalent
performance. Note that not all modified fluidized bed dryers are inherently
superior to the traditional ones, whether in terms of product quality or
energy efficiency, or in terms of the ability to produce high-quality drugs.
1.
Conventional
Fluidized Bed Dryers
The following are examples of
conventional fluidized bed dryers:
a.
Conventional fluidized bed dryers include;
b.
Batch fluidized bed dryers.
c.
Semi-continuous fluidized bed dryers.
d.
Well-mixed, continuous fluidized dryers.
e.
Plug flow fluidized bed dryer.
2.
Fluidized
Bed Dryers with Modifications
Various types of modified fluidized
bed dryers have been developed by fluid
bed dryer manufacturers and are being used in a wide range of industrial
processes to overcome some of the issues that have been experienced when
utilizing standard fluidized bed dryers for a drying process in the past. They
include, but are not limited to, the following:
a.
Hybrid fluidized bed dryers
b.
Pulsating fluidized bed dryers
c.
Mechanically assisted fluidized bed dryer.
d.
Fluidized bed dryers of inert particles.
e.
Spouted bed dryer.
f.
Recirculating fluidized bed dryer.
g.
Fluidized-bed freeze dryer.
h.
Heat pump fluidized dryers.
In terms of product quality, energy
efficiency, and drying performance, it should be emphasized that not all
modified fluidized bed dryers outperform conventional fluid
bed dryer machine.
The Benefits of
Fluidized-Bed Dryers
1.
Due to the high gas-particle constant, which
results in high heat and mass transfer rates, high rates of moisture removal
can be achieved.
2.
In most cases, the high thermal efficiency can
be attained by utilizing the internal heat exchanger to provide some of
the thermal energy.
3.
Reduced investment and operating expenses
4.
Decreased contact time required for drying
5. Ease of use
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