Food Processing

Industrial Dryer Machines – How Does it Work?

Among large-scale manufacturing steps, drying is not just a step, but a critical process where wet ingredients are properly dried and converted into a dust form for use. With the right type of industrial dryer machine, the product quality can be increased. The drying process is essential in the textiles, pharmaceuticals, and food processing industries. These industries need to use high-quality industrial dryer machines for transforming raw and moist ingredients into dry, stable, and dust-free products. 

The growing demand for industrial dryer machines in India has prompted manufacturers to innovate in the process, adding more features to the machines and facilitating an easier drying process. 

Industrial drying process – from heat transfer to final output 

Step 1: Heat transfer process

Every industrial drying machine works based on the principle of heat transfer. This process involves heating the wet material to facilitate the rapid evaporation of moisture. This heat transfer process is completed in 3 common ways: 

• Conduction: In this process, the heat is directly passed from the hot surface to the material. 
• Convection: In this process, hot air flows over the material, and heat is transferred through the contraction of the fluid bed or tray dryers.
• Radiation: In this process, heat is emitted from a source and absorbed by materials used in infrared drying systems. 

Step 2: Evaporation of the moisture 

When the moisture has been absorbed, the next phase of evaporation starts. In this process, the moisture in the product is heated up from the inside and transformed into vapour. This process is conducted in 3 ways. Either a spray dryer, a rotary dryer, or a fluid bed dryer is used in the industry. 

Each of the methods has been engineered to help the ingredients achieve maximum evaporation with minimal energy waste. 

Step 3: Vapour removal and air circulation 

This is a step where the water has evaporated, and it needs to be removed from the system. This is achieved through the process of allowing air to flow, with the assistance of the exhaust system. In modern industrial dryer machines, smart sensors are often included. These sensors can monitor and check humidity and temperature levels. This also allows for adjusting the airflow, ensuring the product is both safe and efficient. 

Step 4: Make a uniform drying process

At the end of every industrial process, industries look forward to using uniform, dry, and stable products that they can utilise, whether it’s cereals, food grains, or pharmaceutical powders. Maintaining uniformity is essential. The final stage thus involves checking the uniformity of the dried end products. 

Advanced machines also feature a separate cooling and discharge mechanism for handling the product gently. It is also used for preparing the product and packaging it in the same way for further processing. Regardless of the size and shape of the industrial drying machines, these steps are compulsory and must be followed to achieve a consistent product. 

From raw to refined – drying is the science of removing moisture from products and converting them into a dried and powdered form for industrial use. At T&I GLOBAL LIMITED (TIGL), we stand at the forefront of innovation and excellence in the food and agro-processing machinery sector. As a leading manufacturer and exporter, we specialise in delivering tailor-made processing solutions for the food and agri industry.