Agitated Thin Film Dryer (ATFD)

STRUCTURE AND OPERATION MECHANISMS

The agitated thin film dryer (ATFD) is a device designed, manufactured and successfully applied to many projects around the world from Confident Engineering India Private Limited in India.

Structure

Agitated thin film dryers (ATFDs) often operate similarly to thin film evaporators, agitated thin film dryers (ATFDs) have high heat transfer rates and therefore short drying times. Operating pressure in the drying chamber can range from near vacuum to atmospheric pressure. Basically, there are two types of ATFD: horizontal and vertical. The choice of which type to use depends on the consistency of the raw material, the volatile components present in the feed stream, the state of the product, and the desired form of the final product.

The horizontal design is ideal for applications requiring longer residence times for mass transfer and reaction, or where clearance is limited.

The agitated thin film dryer (ATFD) consists of a cylindrical body with a heat-retaining housing and a rotor inside the housing equipped with rows of blades installed along the length of the dryer. The jacket is set to a certain temperature, predetermined by the raw material, and heated by steam, warm water, thermal oil or electricity.

Operation mechanisms

+ First, the input liquid distribution point on the wall is heated.

+ The liquid is pumped into the upper chamber and flows evenly down to the compartment containing the blades in the form of a thin network.

+ Then, the high-speed rotor continues to spread and vigorously agitate the membrane as it flows down.

+ As a result, we get the final product in solid powder form.

Schematic image and inlet distribution point of an agitated thin film dryer in a Confident project

FEATURES OF EQUIPMENT

• Retention time of a few seconds with a narrow gap is an important characteristic for heat-sensitive products

• Evaporation is achieved in a single pass, avoiding product recirculation and possible quality deterioration

• Scale formation on heat transfer surfaces is reduced due to strong agitation of the liquid film

• Excellent load shedding ability

• Low product retention rate, ideal for hazardous substance applications

• Operating pressure as low as 1 mbar and operating temperature up to 4000C

• Specially designed for clean room applications

APPLICATION

Suitable for drying solutions or suspensions such as concentrated wastewater streams after evaporation, as part of the technology of the ZLD process - Treatment without liquid discharge. The product is a dry powder that usually has an average size of about 200-600µm.

PANATECH is the exclusive distributor of CONFIDENT ENGINEERING in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Austraulia.

Contact PANATECH now to get advice and find the best solution for you!