Drying is the key to super absorbent polymers
15 Jan 2000
When Industrial Zeolite decided to set up a new super absorbent polymer drying facility at its Titan works, it recognised that reliability was a key requirement.
John Bolland, process engineer at the Titan works, explains: 'Advanced gelling material and super absorbent polymers are used by a wide range of consumable product manufacturers throughout Europe. Because it is a vital commodity, supply is critical.'
With this in mind, Industrial Zeolite commissioned Petrie Dryers to design and construct three large scale drying ovens.
The three ovens ordered are now coming onto line. Each 44m-long oven is heated by 18 Lanemark FD20 burners rated at 820kW. Extruded gel material is delivered to the conveyor at the feed end of each oven and passes along a stainless steel conveyor through 23 heating zones in 25 minutes, removing seven to eight tonnes of moisture per hour.
Each set of three burners is controlled by a temperature controller. These are housed in a main control room which is positioned on an adjacent mezzanine, where all aspects of the production process are controlled and monitored.
This £2.5m project is Petrie's largest installation to date. It took just three months to complete.
