Heat exchange and the greening of bulk solids processing
Whether the final product is a powder, granule, tablet, pellet or crystal, most bulk solids go through a variety of processes during manufacturing, which often includes some form of heating, cooling and/or drying.
As these processes can be very energy intensive, manufacturers are increasingly looking to heat exchange technology to reduce costs and carbon footprint while still producing consistently high-quality products.
In the June 2022 issue of Processing magazine, Devon Robinson, Applications Engineer at Solex Thermal Science, discusses how moving bed heat exchangers (MBHEs) that use vertical plate technology to indirectly heat and cool material via conduction has shifted the framework of what is possible in both traditional and non-traditional bulk solids industries.
In the article, Robinson provides details of how plate heat exchangers for bulk solids can help processors reduce their energy consumption, minimize CO2 emissions and better manage their water usage.
"The heating, cooling and drying stages of bulk solids processing not only represent vital steps in producing a quality finished product, but also now fill critical roles in meeting manufacturers’ broader sustainability initiatives," writes Robinson.
"MBHEs that use vertical plate technology to indirectly heat, cool or dry bulk solids provide a much-needed solution that supports the push toward a greener future."
This entry was last updated on 2023-2-14
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