Fluid Bed Dryers

Fluid bed dryers are suited for wet powders, granules, agglomerates, and pellets with an average particle size between 50 microns and 5 mm.

We distinguish between two different types of fluid beds:

• Back mix fluid beds are used for powders that are not fluidizable due to high moisture content.
• Plug flow fluid beds are used for powders that are directly fluidizable. The design of this type of fluid bed is important for achieving a precise, narrow, and controlled residence time distribution. The plug flow fluid bed can be stationary or vibrating like the VIBRO-FLUIDIZER™.

What does GEA Niro offer?
GEA Niro offers the two types of basic fluid bed models, both individually designed to fit the solids flow pattern in the spray dryer, but also as stand-alone units or combined to form specialty dryers.

• Food & Dairy fluid bed dryers
  • The Integrated Back Mix Fluid Bed for improving thermal efficiency in spray dryers.
  • The VIBRO-FLUIDIZER™ for after drying and/or cooling. It is typically used in connection with spray dryers.
  • The TIXOTHERM™ plant incorporates both a back mix fluid bed and a plug flow fluid bed for drying whey and permeate.
     
• Chemical fluid bed dryers
  • The fluid bed dryer FB for drying powder with too high moisture content.
  • The CONTACT FLUIDIZER™ incorporates both a back mix fluid bed and a plug flow fluid bed.
  • The SPRAY FLUIDIZER™ is a combined spray dryer, back mix fluid bed and fluid bed dryer for liquid chemical products.
  • The Pressurized Steam Fluid Bed Dryer PSFB uses superheated steam in a completely closed drying system.
  • The VIBRO-FLUIDIZER™ for after drying and/or cooling. It is typically used in connection with spray dryers.

Flexibility 
This is a very flexible and cost efficient solution with regards to both investment and operation. It is designed to meet the requirements of customers and their local authorities and as such it is available in:

• Open, environmentally friendly plants with effective bag filters ensuring emission of clean exhaust process air 
• Semi-closed plants utilizing low oxygen combustion gas as process air 
• Semi-closed plants, self-inertised and featuring incineration of the exhaust air 
• A closed cycle concept with nitrogen purged process gas circuit

If you are in doubt about the drying conditions of your particular product, our well-equipped Test Center with more than 75 pilot plants and our highly qualified test engineers are at your disposal for testing your product.

Safety aspects
All plants designed and supplied by GEA Niro will enable the end user to obtain approvals put forward by the EU directive.

Further reading
Read about the technology behind fluid bed drying.