The process
Belt dryers circulate heated air through the product bed with recirculation fans in each zone and an exhaust fan removing the moist air. The recirculation fans are plug or axial fans running in warm, humid air.
The gas at the fan
Air saturated with moisture from drying, with condensation on any cool surface. Drainage, a shaft seal and a material that tolerates wet running are part of the specification.
Selection for this duty
| Blade form | Backward curved or aerofoil for the best efficiency on clean gas |
| Material of construction | Stainless steel wetted parts, with drains in the casing and a shaft seal |
| Drive and bearings | Direct coupled or belt driven; belt drive where the duty point may need tuning at site |
| Also specified | Casing drain at the lowest point |
| Density at the fan | At about 120°C the gas density is close to 0.90 kg/m³, 75% of standard air. Pressure developed and power drawn fall in the same ratio, so the selection is made at this density and the motor is checked at cold start. |
Circulates or supplies air at elevated temperature to a dryer, oven or kiln. Selected at the hot density with the shaft and bearing arrangement built for continuous hot running. Client-stated blade types for the Hot Air Fan in general: Backward curved and backward inclined.
Industries
Other fans in belt and tray dryers
Hot Air Fan in other processes
Hot Air GeneratorsBall Mill Raw GrindingCement Grinding MillsCement Plant Coal MillsGypsum Calcining PlantsSponge Iron Rotary KilnsSteel Reheating FurnacesHeat Treatment FurnacesForge ShopsAluminium Smelters and Cast HousesHot Dip Galvanising LinesGlass Melting FurnacesGlass Forming and Annealing LehrsCeramic Tunnel and Roller KilnsCeramic Body Spray DryersBrick and Refractory KilnsEffluent Treatment and Zero Liquid Discharge PlantsSolvent Recovery PlantsFertilizer Granulation PlantsFertilizer Rotary Dryers and CoolersFood and Dairy Spray DryersRotary DryersFluid Bed Dryers and CoolersTea Withering Troughs
Services on this fan
Information needed to select or quote
- Duty point. Volume flow and static pressure at the fan inlet, with the gas density and temperature or the conditions to derive it.
- Operating conditions. Site altitude, normal operating temperature and continuous or intermittent duty.
- Gas stream. Dust loading and particle size, corrosive species, moisture, upset temperature and any tendency of the material to deposit on the impeller.
- Mechanical. Rotation viewed from the drive end, discharge orientation and motor power.