Working Principle of Fluid Bed Dryer

Fluid Bed Dryers have a single stage operation useful to convert solutions,
suspensions, and slurries into dry powder. This is a high-speed process in controlled
temperature which ensures its efficiency. This process has many different applications
in several industries. It is useful in the chemical industry, pharmaceutical industry, food
industry, dyestuff and several other processes.

Working Principle

The main principle behind the working of the fluid bed dryers is explained here. Air is
allowed to flow through a bed of solid powdered material in an upward direction. This
made so that the velocity is higher than the setting rate of all particles. When this
happens all the solid particles will get blown up and be suspended in an air stream. The
solid bed is thus converted into a boiling liquid which is known as the fluidized state. It is
then possible to make use of hot air to help with the process of fluidising the bed. This
increases the drying rate of the material.

This machine consists of a stainless steel chamber with a removable perforated bottom;
also known as a bowl. All the material that needs to be dried has to be placed in this
bowl. The way it works, the air is introduced from the bottom of a bowl and heated to a
set temperature by the heaters. Once the air is filtered with the help of a filter it is
passed through the bed of the material. The constant airflow is as a result of the fans
fitted at the top of the equipment. All parameters of the equipment like the rate of flow,
operating temperature are adjustable with the help of a control panel.

This machine is known for its high drying rate since the material is dried in quick time.
The materials are allowed to remain in a free-flowing state at all times. The bags used
here have a finger-like structure which helps increase the surface area of the drying
bed. This type of design helps increase the drying rate and decrease the drying time
during the fluid bed drying process.