rotary drum dryer
The Best Choices for Your Project
- Customization Service：The maximum customizable diameter is 3.5 meters
- Solution：Provide solutions for your problems
- Dryer length: 8 meters to 50 meters.
What is a Rotary Drum Dryer?
A Rotary Drum Dryer is a robust and highly efficient industrial drying system designed to reduce the moisture content of various bulk materials through direct or indirect heat transfer. It consists of a large, rotating cylindrical drum, often slightly inclined to allow material to flow from the feed end to the discharge end. Renowned for their high throughput, reliability, and versatility, rotary drum dryers are a cornerstone in processing industries worldwide.
As a global leader in rotary drum dryer manufacturing, we engineer our dryers for maximum efficiency, durability, and tailored performance to meet specific client requirements.
The operation of a rotary drum dryer is both elegant and effective, following a continuous process:
Feeding: The wet material is fed into the elevated end of the rotating drum via a conveyor or feeder system.
Drum Rotation and Airflow: As the drum rotates, internal flights (lifters) pick up the material and shower it evenly through the hot gas stream flowing through the drum. This maximizes the surface area exposed to the heat, ensuring efficient drying.
Heat Transfer: The core of the drying process. Hot gases, generated from a chosen heat source, pass through the drum, directly or indirectly heating the material and causing moisture to evaporate.
Material Transport: The slight incline of the drum and its rotation gently move the material from the feed end to the discharge end. During this journey, the material is continuously lifted and cascaded through the hot air.
Discharge: The dried product exits at the lower end of the drum, while the moisture-laden exhaust gases are treated and released through a dust collection system, such as a cyclone or baghouse, to meet environmental standards.
This continuous, counter-current or co-current flow design ensures thorough and uniform drying of the material.
Rotary Drum Dryer – Technical Data Sheet
Model: RRD-2412 (Rotary Dryer – 2.4m Diameter x 12m Length)
| Category | Parameter | Specification & Value |
|---|---|---|
| General Specifications | Model | RRD-2412 |
| Dryer Type | Single Shell, Direct Heat, Co-Current & Counter-Current Flow Capable | |
| Application | Drying of minerals (sand, clay), chemical solids, biomass (sawdust, wood chips), and other granular materials. | |
| Standard | Designed per ASME, ASTM, and applicable international standards. | |
| Physical Dimensions | Drum Diameter (Inner) | 2400 mm (2.4 m) |
| Drum Length (Cylindrical Section) | 12000 mm (12.0 m) | |
| L/D Ratio | 5 : 1 | |
| Shell Thickness | 16 mm (Mild Steel) / 10 mm (Contact Part – Stainless Steel 304 if required) | |
| Slope (Adjustable) | 2° – 5° | |
| Rotation Speed | 2 – 8 rpm (Variable Frequency Drive Controlled) | |
| Drying Performance | Evaporation Capacity | Up to 2,500 kg/h (5,500 lb/h) of water |
| Feed Moisture (Max.) | 25% (wet basis) Varies with material | |
| Product Moisture (Final) | < 1% (wet basis) Varies with material | |
| Thermal Capacity | ~5.5 MW (~18.8 MMBtu/h) | |
| Specific Water Evaporation | 40 – 55 kg/m³h | |
| Air Flow Rate | 25,000 – 30,000 kg/h | |
| Residence Time | 15 – 45 minutes (Adjustable via speed and slope) | |
| Mechanical Components | Drive Unit | Main Gear & Pinion drive with auxiliary safety gear. |
| Motor Power | 45 kW (60 HP) – 4 Pole, IE3 Class | |
| Control System | Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) for smooth start and speed control. | |
| Trunnion Rollers | 4 rollers, forged steel, precision machined. | |
| Thrust Rollers | 2 rollers to control axial movement. | |
| Shell Riding Rings | 2 forged steel riding rings. | |
| Seals | Multi-labyrinth or Air Seal at both ends to minimize air leakage. | |
| Internal Lifters | Lifting flights (angled/pocket type) for optimal material showering. | |
| Thermal System | Heat Source | Diesel / Natural Gas / Biomass Burner (Customer’s choice) |
| Burner Capacity | 6.0 MW (20.5 MMBtu/h) | |
| Inlet Gas Temperature (Max.) | 700°C (1292°F) | |
| Outlet Gas Temperature | 100 – 120°C (212 – 248°F) | |
| Fuel Consumption (Natural Gas) | ~ 650 Nm³/h (Approx.) | |
| Accessories & Options | Feeding System | Screw Feeder with variable speed drive and hopper. |
| Discharge System | Air Lock Rotary Valve or Screw Conveyor. | |
| Dust Collection | Cyclone Separator followed by a Baghouse Filter or Wet Scrubber. | |
| Control Panel | PLC-based with HMI Touchscreen for automated operation. | |
| Instrumentation | Temperature sensors (Inlet/Outlet), material pyrometer, pressure sensors, O₂ analyzer. | |
| Optional Materials | Shell & flights can be supplied in Stainless Steel (304, 316L) or other alloys for corrosive applications. | |
| Insulation | Optional ceramic fiber insulation with aluminum cladding to reduce heat loss. |
Key Operational Parameters & Notes:
Capacity: The evaporation capacity is the primary metric. The throughput of dry product depends entirely on the amount of water to be removed (e.g., a higher initial moisture content means a lower dry product throughput for the same evaporation rate).
Material Dependency: All performance figures (evaporation rate, final moisture, residence time) are highly dependent on the physical and chemical properties of the material being dried (e.g., particle size, density, initial moisture, heat sensitivity).
Customization: Rotary dryers are typically custom-engineered. The L/D ratio, internal flight design, and air flow configuration (co-current for heat-sensitive materials, counter-current for maximum efficiency) are tailored to the specific application.
Auxiliary Equipment: The performance of the dryer is integral with its auxiliary systems, especially the burner and the dust collection system. Sizing these components correctly is critical.
Safety: All dryers must be equipped with appropriate safety interlocks, explosion vents (if risk of dust explosion exists), and temperature monitoring to prevent overheating and damage.
This table provides a comprehensive overview of a typical industrial rotary drum dryer. For a specific project, a manufacturer would require your material characteristics to provide a precise and guaranteed quotation.
What Materials Can a Rotary Drum Dryer Process?
The versatility of the rotary drum dryer is one of its greatest strengths. It is capable of drying a vast array of materials across numerous industries, including:
Minerals & Aggregates: Sand, silica sand, clay, limestone, ore concentrates, gypsum, bentonite.
Agricultural Products: Animal feed, DDGS (Distillers’ Dried Grains with Solubles), soybeans, corn, fertilizers, alfalfa.
Organic Materials: Biomass, wood chips, sawdust, bark, compost, sludge.
Chemicals: Sodium sulfate, ammonium sulfate, polymers, various salts and pigments.
As a premier manufacturer, we specialize in customizing our rotary drum dryers to handle your specific material’s characteristics, such as initial moisture content, particle size, abrasiveness, and thermal sensitivity.
Rotary Drum Dryer Heat Source Options
Selecting the right heat source is critical for optimizing drying efficiency and operational costs. Our rotary drum dryers are designed to be compatible with a wide range of heat sources, offering you flexibility:
Natural Gas / Propane: A clean and widely available option, offering precise temperature control.
Diesel / Fuel Oil: Suitable for locations where gas is not readily accessible.
Biomass / Biofuels: An eco-friendly and cost-effective solution, ideal for drying biomass itself or in green energy projects.
Coal: A traditional and economical choice for large-scale industrial operations.
Steam (Indirect Heating): Used for heat-sensitive materials where direct contact with combustion gases is not desirable.
Thermal Oil (Indirect Heating): Provides safe and uniform heat for temperature-sensitive applications.
Electric Heater: Used for smaller-scale operations or where other fuel sources are impractical.
Our engineering team will work with you to determine the most efficient and economical heat source for your specific application and local conditions.
Why Choose Us as Your Rotary Drum Dryer Manufacturer?
We are not just suppliers; we are solution providers and a trusted global leader in industrial drying technology. Our commitment is to deliver more than just a machine—we deliver a guaranteed drying process.
Global Leadership: Years of experience and a proven track record of successful installations worldwide.
Full Customization: We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Every dryer we build is engineered to match your material’s unique properties and your production goals.
Expert Engineering: Our team provides comprehensive support, from initial consultation and design to installation and after-sales service.
Robust and Durable Build: We use high-quality materials to ensure your dryer withstands harsh operating conditions, minimizing downtime.
Energy Efficiency: Our designs focus on maximizing heat transfer and minimizing fuel consumption, reducing your operational costs.
Ready to optimize your drying process? Contact us today for a free consultation. Let our experts design the perfect custom rotary drum dryer solution for your business.