SE PAR ATION

UNLIMITED FLUID BED

PROCESSING
ANDRITZ FLUID BED DRYERS,
COOLERS, AND GR ANUL ATORS
Experience makes the difference! ANDRITZ was among the first to
introduce fluid bed technology for use in industrial drying and has
been focusing on development of tailored process solutions for its
customers since the early 1960s. With this experience and target-oriented
development of process solutions in their own pilot plants, ANDRITZ is
able to provide you with the optimum solution for your process. No matter
whether the best type of fluid bed is static, vibrating, high-temperature,
or a unit with built-in heat exchangers, feeding or processing devices:
ANDRITZ has them all and will find the best set-up for your particular
requirements. A wide variety of design features, such as air distribution
plates and different types of heat exchangers, enables ANDRITZ to put
together the ideal fluid bed for your application.

CUSTOMIZATION
IS OU R
STAN DARD

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System approach for fully
tailored equipment
A fluid bed system requires auxiliary equipment that up for your application will never come off the shelf.
needs to match the core apparatus. As ANDRITZ knows ANDRITZ considers every project as being unique and
very well which equipment will fit for your specific unit always strives to match efficiency and operational
and application, ANDRITZ usually supplies complete safety to the best possible extent. The result is an
packages containing all the required ancillaries. Of optimized, tailor-made plant set-up, with the right
course, the particular scope will be adapted to your features for long-term and sustainable operation at
special requirements and wishes. ANDRITZ is flexible minimum cost.
enough to offer everything from single equipment units
to turnkey installations with a full engineering, project
management, and site supervision package, taking BENEFITS OF FLUID BED DRYERS
care of your drying project for your peace of mind. • Gentle and efficient processing
• Flexible when facing fluctuations
Large throughputs for demanding processes need a • Combined drying and cooling
closer look and intelligent solutions. As you have to • Easy to maintain
calculate your OPEX on a 24/365 basis, the best set-

Example of the layout for a dense soda ash

system using fluid bed technology

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 Safe and efficient - the fluid
bed operating principle
Fluid bed processing is basically simple and reliable. It was first used for
industrial purposes in the 1920ies. Almost one hundred years later, the
technology is well established in all areas of bulk material processing.

The key unit is a metal housing (1) with a gas distribution material. Mixing as well as transport through the product
plate (2) that holds up the product (3). Fluidizing gas chamber are provided by the hydraulic characteristics of
(4) that is blown down to the bottom chamber (5) the fluidized layer itself. The final product is discharged
penetrates the floor, making the product particles from the fluid bed through an overflow opening (7). The
levitate, and bringing them to a fluid-like state. As mechanical impact on the particles is negligible so the
fluidization is self-regulating in a wide range of gas fluidization process does not lead to substantial particle
velocities, the technology provides stable processing attrition. The exhaust gas containing vapor and dust
and is quite resistant to fluctuations in feed rate, leaves the dryer through its suction hood (10) leading to
moisture, and other changes in process conditions. the exhaust gas nozzle (11).

The wet product (6) is fed directly to the fluidized layer

(3), where it is immediately mixed with warm and dry

To make the principle work for sophisticated

applications and provide safe and efficient
processing, ANDRITZ has implemented a number
of groundbreaking innovations:

Customized gas
distribution plates
Improved efficiency Special design Spray granulation
for transport of large
by including heat for supply gas and sludge feeding
agglomerates and
exchangers (7) in the temperatures systems for
foreign materials
fluidized layer up to 800 °C direct feed of liquids,
through the dryer,
pastes, and sludges
even without
fluidization

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 11

10

7
9 3

1
8

5 2
4

1 Housing 7 Overflow weir waiting for a

2 Gas distribution plate 8 Dry product discharge better auqlity
3 Product layer 9 Intermediate section with internal heat exchanger
4 Fluidizing gas 10 Suction hood
5 Wind box 11 Offgas containing evaporated water and dust
6
Wet product feed

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ANDRITZ fluid bed drying
technology, the right choice
Drying is the final stage in the production process of most • Drying characteristics: Each product has its own
bulk materials. An optimized combination of mechanical drying behavior. ANDRITZ considers your material’s
dewatering and drying is essential to create a high-value particular characteristics, no matter if there is only
product with excellent opportunities on the market. In times free evaporation of surface water, temperature-driven
of increasing costs for energy and a growing awareness evaporation of capillary moisture, or drying to the extent
of environmental impacts, selection of the right drying where the remaining moisture is determined by phase
technology is crucial in terms of: equilibria. The required flow pattern can also have
• Product quality an impact on selection of the correct dryer. Plug flow
• Efficiency characteristics can be achieved with vibrating fluid beds
• Profitability or adequate separation of a static fluid bed into several
• Operational safety processing chambers. CSTR characteristics are achieved
• Reduced ecological footprint with deeper fluidized layers and adequate mixing.
• Feed material properties: Depending on moisture
The best choice may be complex as there are content and specific properties like stickiness and
many dependencies, starting with your traditional electrostatic behavior, ANDRITZ can apply several
preferences and continuing with the available utilities, mechanisms for pre-treatment. Starting with solutions for
safety considerations, and moving on to product sludges and for pasty to spreadable materials, ANDRITZ
properties, space requirements, and much more. provides the right product treatment and the most
suitable fluid bed type for your specific material.
EXPERIENCE THAT COUNTS • Heat source: The wide variety of fluid bed dryer
Fluid bed processing is basically simple, but its design types allows ANDRITZ to use the full range of
needs a lot of know-how and experience. Many available heat sources. Convective dryers can be
parameters have to be considered when it comes to operated with flue gas or directly fired gas heaters.
selecting the right fluid bed system: HDC dryers can use heating agents like steam,
thermal oil, or hot water.

Each ANDRITZ fluid bed apparatus is fully customized to clients‘ requirements.

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An unmatched portfolio
to meet your requirements
Fluid bed dryers are available for various industries, from the environment
to biomass, to food and animal feed, and on to minerals and chemicals.

Fluidized Hot air Water Particle

area* temperature* evaporation* size*

Convective dryers/ 0.2–90 m2 up to 800 °c up to 10 t/hr 50μm–3mm

coolers DDC

Vibrating dryers/ 0.6–24 m2 up to 300 °c up to 6 t/hr 50μm–10mm

coolers VDC

Heat exchanger dryers/ 0.6–100 m2 up to 300 °c up to 33 t/hr 50μm–6mm

coolers HDC

Spray granulators 0.3–86 m2 up to 650 °c up to 15 t/hr 0.5mm–4mm

SGS

* Typical values - Can differ depending on application and product

Fluid bed dryer/cooler DDC for salt Fluid bed dryer/cooler HDC for PVC

Spray granulator SGS for calcium chloride Fluid bed dryer/cooler VDC for sodium sulfate

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Simple and
effective
Convective fluid bed DDC

The most basic type of fluid bed comes with a static FEATURES
housing and without internal heat exchangers. • Simple and reliable set-up
Heating or cooling is performed by convection • Several air supply sections for proper flow
from the fluidization gas, and product transport adjustment during operation
through the unit is provided by the hydraulic- • Flexible heat supply options
like characteristic of the fluidized layer. Although • Largest variety of gas distribution plates
our typical design comes with a rectangular • Drying and cooling in one single unit
footprint, we can also supply a round design for • No moving parts, no wear parts
special applications, for example high supply gas
temperatures or increased operating pressures.

BEST FIT
• Products with medium to good flow characteristics
• Products with uniform and constant particle size
distribution

Pressurized air Fan Exhaust air

Baghouse
Wet product filter

Fluid bed dryer/

cooler
Rotary airlock
valve

Steam
Dry product

Air filter Fan

Air
YOUR BENEFITS
Air
• Operating safety
heater
• Compact layout – no separate cooler required
• Minimum maintenance requirements
Condensate • Easy to clean
• High safety standards
Typical system set-up with a DDC fluid bed dryer

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Reliable processing
for any product
Vibrating fluid bed VDC

Vibrating fluid beds are used for handling products • High acceleration forces
with poorer fluidization properties. Vibration together • Hygienic design available
with directed or non-directed gas flow provides an • Plug flow characteristics with distinctive
optimized process for gentle drying with controlled temperature/moisture profile
residence time. Our vibrating units are also available • Suitable for food and animal feed
in pressure-shock resistant and sanitary design.

BEST FIT
• Products with critical properties: fibers, sticky
materials
• Particles with a broad size distribution range
• Coarse materials
• Multi-purpose applications

FEATURES
• Several gas supply sections for proper flow
adjustment during operation
• Flexible heat supply options
• Drying and cooling in one single unit

Exhaust air

Scrubber Droplet
Fan separator

Wet product Cyclone

Pump
Fluid bed dryer/cooler
Purge
Rotary
Make-up -water
airlock
valve

Steam
Dry product

Air heater

Air Filter Fan

YOUR BENEFITS
Air
• Operating safety, also under fluctuating
conditions
• Product flow is maintained, even without
fluidization
Condensate • Versatile - different products can be processed
Typical system set-up with a VDC fluid bed dryer with the same equipment

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 High capacities at
maximum efficiency
Heat exchanger fluid bed HDC

The use of internal heat exchangers inside the fluidized FEATURES

layer was an important step for fluid bed technology, • Combined convection and contact heat transfer
allowing high-performance drying and cooling in one • Deep fluidized layers
unit. The combined use of convection and conduction • Large variety of proven heat exchanger designs
allows large amounts of heat to be transferred in a • Minimized gas flow rates
compact set-up. It also makes fluidization and heat • Suitable for steam loop operation
input independent of one another. Due to the reduced • Low-temperature drying
amounts of fluidizing gas, the auxiliary equipment
required for gas treatment is much smaller. Systems
efficiency is improved because there are less exhaust gas
losses. The static system set-up also allows the unit to be
run in a closed loop under inert conditions with highest
safety standards.

BEST FIT
• Applications and products with medium to high
mass flow rates
• Commodities
• Products with temperature limitation

Pressurized air Exhaust air

Fan

Rotary airlock
Wet product valve

Fluid bed
dryer/cooler
Steam Cooling water
Cooling water return flow
Air
heater
Air filter Silencer
Air

Fan
Condensate YOUR BENEFITS
• High efficiency due to reduced offgas losses
• Smaller supply and exhaust air equipment for
reduced amounts of fluidizing gas
Typical system set-up with an HDC fluid bed dryer • Smaller footprint than convective systems
• Highest safety features with inert closed loop
operation

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From liquid to bulk
in only one step
Spray granulator SGS

Spray granulation in a fluid bed is a smart technology • Flexible configurations (side spray, bottom spray,
to combine several process steps in a single piece of top spray)
equipment. Whenever it is reasonable or necessary • Spherical particles of controlled size
to start thermal drying from a liquid phase, spray
granulation is the first choice. The liquid feed material
is atomized in suitable nozzles and sprayed onto the
surface of the granules inside the bed. As the liquid
phase evaporates, the granules grow in layers, like an
onion. The result is a stable and spherical granulate with
controlled properties like shape, density, hardness, and
particle size.

BEST FIT
• Solutions
• Suspensions
• Melts

FEATURES
• Direct processing from liquid to dry granules
• Evaporation, granulation, and drying in one single unit

Fan
Exhaust air

Baghouse
filter Sieve

Rotary Crusher
airlock
Fluid bed valve
dryer
Spray Granulate
Pump nozzle
Slurry
Bucket elevator

YOUR BENEFITS
• High-quality products with spherical
granules
Air filter Fan
Air • Less equipment than conventional
processing
Gas burner • Enhanced control over product
Fuel gas properties like bulk density, PSD, etc.
• Excellent handling features due to
Typical system set-up with an SGS fluid bed dryer
free-flowing, dust-free product
• High single-line capacities

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A reliable technology for
your peace of mind
LED BY INNOVATION
Research and development always were and are a key focus of
ANDRITZ‘s business. As fluid bed technology became popular for a lot
of products all over the world, ANDRITZ‘s focus was set on the more
sophisticated applications with challenging requirements in terms
SAFE
of operating safety and sustainability. In its test lab and pilot plant, TY
ANDRITZ can establish the right process set-up and derive specific
&
parameters for your drying/ cooling or granulation challenge. RE LIA
BILIT
The dedication to innovation and advanced technology also Y
extends to the project execution mode. ANDRITZ was one of the first
medium-sized plant manufacturers to use 3D modeling and works
with the most recent management software and simulation tools.
However, the level of standardization is kept to a range that still
allows high flexibility and responsiveness to adapt your particular
system set-up to your exact needs.

SAFETY
Using their long-term experience in
drying of hazardous substances, the
ANDRITZ specialists choose the safety
measures that are the best fit for your
installation.

LAB-SCALE AND PILOT FLUID BED

PLANT FOR TESTING AND DRYING
ANDRITZ‘s R&D center with its qualified
personnel and integrated laboratory
is at your disposal to develop your
process or examine your specific tasks. It
handles products in the form of solutions,
suspensions, pastes, filter cake (dry
sludge), or bulk solids and has capacities
for development of components and
processes and for providing product
samples (over 2,100 products already
tested on lab and pilot scale).

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Pilot plant in ANDRITZ test centre

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 Intelligence for
machine and
process control
With Metris addIQ, you have a well-proven,
intelligent control solution for industrial processes
and machines. Our solid/liquid separation
specialists use their in-depth expertise to provide
scalable solutions that are individually tailored to
regional and application requirements. Whether
you’re automating new equipment or upgrading to
extend the lifecycle of existing systems, we find the
ideal solution for you.

METRIS addIQ CONTROL SYSTEMS

Our tailored turnkey systems from a single supplier can improve
entire plants or individual machines. By providing state-of-the-
art automation technologies and digitalization, we ensure best-
in-class performance. Automating machine and plant equipment
measurably reduces gaps in many different production process steps.
By using automation from ANDRITZ, you can reduce downtime thanks
to features such as predictive analysis that allow you to optimize
productivity.

Metris addIQ covers all levels of automation, starting at basic

automation (machine, process, and plant control), to upgrades, and
add-ons for process optimization. Together, you have a full range
of optimized solutions that help reduce maintenance efforts and
ensure preventive service for your machines and plants. These are
all delivered from a single source and always individually tailored to
your business demands. addIQ control systems are part of Metris, the
ANDRITZ brand for digital solutions.
ANDRITZ offers a broad and constantly
growing range of innovative products
and services in the industrial
digitalization sector under the brand
name Metris, helping customers
to enhance plant efficiency and
profitability, optimize the use of
resources, achieve constant and
highest product quality, reduce
production downtime, and maximize
user-friendliness.

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Your
full-service provider
With ANDRITZ, you gain access to one of the world’s largest OEM manufacturers
for solid/liquid separation systems, including such well-known brands
as 3Sys Technologies, Bird, Delkor Capital Equipment (Pty) Ltd., Escher Wyss
dryers, Guinard Centrifugation, KHD Humboldt Wedag, Krauss-Maffei
centrifuges, dryers, and filters, Lenser, Netzsch Filtration, Rittershaus & Blecher,
Royal GMF Gouda, Sprout Bauer, and Vandenbroek.

Whether you need spare parts, rentals, local service, predictability in opera tions while raising your overall
repairs, upgrades, or modernization of your equipment, production efficiency. Wherever you operate, our net-
ANDRITZ is your true full-service provider. From initial work of 550 service specialists and global service
consulting through to service agreements, process centers ensures we’ll always be there to support you
optimization, and training programs, we are always for many life cycles to come. Let’s sit down and see
looking for ways to minimize down time and increase how we could take your operations to the next level.

LOCAL SUPPORT REPAIRS & UPGRADES SECOND-HAND & RENTALS TRAINING

Responsive local service Optimization of machine and Certified second-hand and Operator training and tailored
centers and field service process performance, repair work, rental machines seminars for operating and
technicians retrofitting, and modernization maintenance personnel

OEM SPARE PARTS SERVICE AGREEMENTS PROCESS OPTIMIZATION LAB AND ON-SITE TESTS
Filter cloths, spare and wear Preventive maintenance, contracts Automation tools and Lab and testing capabilities
parts from OEMs or with for spare parts, maintenance, process expertise to boost for process optimization and
OEM level quality, all readily inspections, repairs, upgrades, your profit machine upgrades
available operation, and equipment monitoring

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WHAT’S YOUR SEPARATION CHALLENGE?
ANDRITZ Separation is the world’s leading separation specialist with
the broadest technology portfolio and more than 2,000 specialists in
40 countries. For more than 150 years, we have been a driving force in the
evolution of separation solutions and services for industries ranging from
environment to food, chemicals, and mining & minerals. As the OEM for many
of the world’s leading brands, we have the solutions and services to transform
your business to meet tomorrow’s changing demands – wherever you are and
whatever your separation challenge. Ask your separation specialist!

AFRICA EUROPE
ANDRITZ Delkor (Pty) Ltd. ANDRITZ Fliessbett Systeme GmbH
p: +27 11 012 7300 p: +49 751 560580
separation.za@andritz.com separation.de@andritz.com

ASIA NORTH AMERICA

ANDRITZ Singapore Pte. Ltd. ANDRITZ Separation Inc.
p: +65 6512 1800 p: +1 817 465 5611
separation.sg@andritz.com separation.us@andritz.com

AUSTRALIA SOUTH AMERICA

ANDRITZ Pty. Ltd. ANDRITZ Separation Ltda.
p: +61 3 8773 4888 p: +55 47 3387 9100
separation.au@andritz.com separation.bra@andritz.com

CHINA
ANDRITZ (China) Ltd.
p: +86 757 8258 6802
separation.cn@andritz.com

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All data, information, statements, photographs, and graphic illustrations in this leaflet are without any obligation and raise no liabilities to or
form part of any sales contracts of ANDRITZ AG or any affiliates for equipment and/or systems referred to herein. © ANDRITZ AG 2021. All rights
reserved. No part of this copyrighted work may be reproduced, modified, or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in any database
or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of ANDRITZ AG or its affiliates. Any such unauthorized use for any purpose is a violation
of the relevant copyright laws. ANDRITZ AG, Stattegger Strasse 18, 8045 Graz, Austria. Fluid bed dryer 2.0/10.2021 EN