This invention is related to dryers and more specifically dryers that are used to dry pasty and/or moist foodstuff and also drying method using the same. The mentioned foodstuff can be tomato and pepper paste, various pastries and onion. On the other hand, the dryer of this invention may also be used to dry viscous and moist medicaments, dyes and similar material.

A dryer and a method of drying using thereof

A drying process converts sticky phase sludge (44) with a dry residue of 50 preferably 65 % to a bulk dry granular condition with a dry reside of 80 preferably 90 %. The process comprises: (a) the sludge (44) is continually dried as it passes through the drying section (46) in contra-flow against dried sludge (44) and sludge vapour particles (49) without self-mixing of either the drying sludge or vapours, in the respective direction of flow (33, 50); (b) drying takes place by cross-flow mixing of the vapours and the sludge (44) with reference to the respective direction of flow (33, 50); (c) air is mixed in with the vapours at the end of the drying section (46) or in a subsequent vapour removal section (47), lowering the dry sludge temperature while minimising the water vapour particle pressure, and intensifying the drying process. Further claimed is (d) a continually-operated linear drying assembly (11) whose overall length is great in comparison to its cross-section; and (f) the assembly incorporates rotor (20) heat-transfer ribs (29), creating a cell-structure which makes for good self-mixing of the respective flows of gases and vapours, while preventing self-mixing in an axial direction.

Dauben Rainer

Papers

Sludge contra-flow drying process and assembly without self-mixing of drying sludge or vapours