Solex Thermal Science > Solex Products > ALPHA Heater

Alpha Series Bulk Solids Heater

The ALPHA SERIES BULK SOLIDS HEATER is engineered specifically for heating a wide variety of free flowing bulk solids such as chemicals, plastics, minerals, and other types of granulars, crystals and powders.

How It Works

1 SLOW & CONTROLLED PRODUCT FLOW
Bulk solids materials pass slowly downward between a series of vertical hollow heat exchange plates.
Why It's Better

2 INDIRECT PLATE HEATING
Heat transfer media, such as steam, hot water or thermal oil, flows through the plates to heat the material by conduction.
Why It's Better

3 MASS FLOW TECHNOLOGY
The mass flow discharge feeder creates uniform product velocity through the heater and regulates the product flow rate.
Why It's Better

4 VERTICAL CONFIGURATION 
Bulk solids pass through the vertical heater by gravity.
Why It's Better

Alpha: How It Works

Why It's Better

The slow and controlled movement of the bulk materials produces a superior final product. It prevents product abrasion and degradation so that there is no change in particle characteristics or crystal shape.

Why It's Better

Plate Close UpThe indirect plate heater exchanger design means air is not used in the heating process.

This design is superior for heating applications because:

  • High temperature air streams are not required for heating the product. 
  • It is ultra efficient, using significantly less energy than technologies requiring the use of air
  • Emissions, dust, fines and odors are eliminated because air is not used to directly heat the product 
  • Installed capital costs are reduced due to the elimination of high temperature air handling systems, such as large diameter air ducting, motors, fans, scrubbers, heaters, and emissions controls.
  • A superior final product is produced.  Since air is not in contact with the product, risks of bacterial contamination, odor contamination, and product moisture content changes, are eliminated. 
  • The plates are configured to enable easy access for inspection and cleaning. The design makes it possible for individual plates to isolated or replaced

Why It's Better

Mass flow design means the product moves with uniform velocity through the heat exchanger. This feature, combined with long residence times (typically 5- 10 minutes), enables even temperature distribution as the product passes through the heat exchanger, producing remarkably stable and uniform final product temperatures.

Why It's Better

Foot Print DiagramThe vertical configuration makes this design both compact and modular.  

  • The compact installation footprint makes this design easy to integrate in existing plants and is ideal for de-bottlenecking, revamps and capacity increase.
  • The clever modular design means that additional heat exchanger plate banks can be stacked if increased thermal capacity is required in the future.