Reliable. Efficient. Well-proven.
FlowDrya continuous drying technology is modern, energy efficient, highly reliable and well-proven in drying a wide range of wet materials. FlowDrya features all the attributes our customers require from a modular, continuous-flow drying system.
Wide range of models offering high capacity output ✔; Excellent thermal & electrical efficiency ✔; Long service life ✔; Stunning reliability ✔; Extremely low service & maintenance costs ✔; Intelligent, easy-to-operate control systems ✔; Uniformly dry output with PulseWave™ mixing motion ✔; High capacity infeed hopper – minimising labour costs ✔; Ability to dry wood chip, forage, paper pulp & more ✔
Tailored drying solutions
There are endless lists of wet materials that need to be dried so they can be further processed, stabilised and utilised. Some materials require specific handling during the drying process, others require tight regulation of drying air temperature and the value of others may be increased with minimal cost and by using waste heat only. FlowDrya is the only drying solution available in the market offering the flexibility to cope with the varying properties of different wet materials.
Think flexibility. Think FlowDrya.
With intelligent consideration of your material, location and available heat source, Stronga are able to offer optimised solutions to maximise value from the flow drying process. The flexible FlowDrya system enables unlimited drying potential, leading to long term financial profitability and productivity. Each FlowDrya is tailor-made for the material to be dried, location, climate and so on. Operators should be aware that performance variations may occur if they choose to dry materials other than the one initially specified.
TIMBER INDUSTRY
AGRICULTURE
PAPER & PULP INDUSTRY
WASTE DISPOSAL & RECYCLING
FEED INDUSTRY
FUEL PELLET INDUSTRY
Purpose-built design
Well-proven continuous dryers from Stronga are specifically built for demanding markets with reliable operation up to 8000 hours per year. High capacity designs optimise thermal efficiency and performance, offering great value in the form of lowest cost per tonne dried. Compared to other dryers in the market, FlowDrya has an extremely low electrical energy requirement, while ensuring efficient drying of wet materials into high value dry output.
When there’s no time for downtime;
Unplanned downtime has impacts beyond cost, often extending to those dependent on the output of your FlowDrya. That’s why we’ve built a dryer which is simply the most reliable solution available in the market. Hard-wearing parts, no belts, chains and sprockets and powerful hydraulic components ensure excellent uptime and long service life. Conversely, moving belt type dryers are complex with numerous parts moving and wearing out. The belt has to be frequently cleaned. It can slip, stretch and be damaged by certain objects, leading to costly and lengthy downtime. If you want a dryer that is cost-effective, purpose-built and super reliable to run; look no further than FlowDrya.
Interact with the 3D model below to discover the details of the FlowDrya.
Simplicity is paramount
Every Stronga product is designed to comply with our core principle of building simple, reliable, easy-to-operate machines. The FlowDrya continuous dryer positively moves wet materials from a hopper (end loaded or top deck), along a hydraulic-powered moving floor and over a flow of temperature-controlled drying quality air, fed from a variety of efficient, optimised heat sources. Simplicity is paramount with FlowDrya.
Effortless drying operations
Continuous FlowDrya operations are incredibly simple yet extremely effective in helping you achieve your goals.
Processes can be fully-automated with conveying systems and augers regulating the flow of material into the dryer’s hopper and away from the dry output end. This ensures energy-use efficiency is optimised and production is maximised while closely observing the required final moisture content of the dry output.
Economic drying solutions
Low Capex – FlowDrya offers excellent value for money at point of purchase. The Stronga technical team consider the whole business case for each project to ensure we offer optimised drying solutions for maximum value.
Low Opex – When compared to other solutions, FlowDrya offers the lowest energy cost per operating hour. What’s more, automatic mode controls (with moisture monitoring), automatic discharge and extended periods between refilling minimise expensive labour hours.
Low Ownership costs – FlowDrya offers extremely low ownership costs from fully considered component quality which ensures maximum uptime, optimum productivity and low service costs. Our reputation for quality-built equipment provides customers with strong residual values and a low cost of ownership.
Cost-effective drying solutions
Drying with warm air
FlowDrya is able to rapidly raise materials to an evaporative temperature because drying occurs in 2 ways; through (1) air drying and; (2) thermal conduction. Injecting drying quality air through wet materials as they roll, tumble and flow along the hydraulic bed optimises the evaporative drying process to reduce moisture content evenly to the client’s requirements. Learn the process.
(1) Drying quality air is delivered by the Heatex unit. Heatex can utilise multiple heat sources, including; low grade residual process heat; CHP engine, water jacket and flue gas heat; biomass boiler thermal output; & more.
(2) Warm airflow heats the insulated steel structure of the FlowDrya sub-floor plenum, conducting thermal energy directly into materials on the drying bed to the supplement air drying process.
(3) Warm air rises through the ventilated floor and through the material. Full length diffusion with intelligent zoning of airflow optimises drying efficiency as the material changes state from wet to dry.
(4) Saturated exhaust air dissipates into the atmosphere via suitably-sized flue ducting, or can be recirculated via modern, well-designed energy-recovery systems.
Drying with thermal conduction
FlowDrya’s unique selling point is PulseWave™ - the automatic agitation of materials as they are continuously tumbled along the moving floor. PulseWave™ ensures that every part of the material receives even thermal conductive contact with the hot drying bed, leading to uniformity of output dryness.
During the forward stroke of the moving floor, materials are tumbled forwards by the pushing blade face, causing a larger driving force low to the bed. The driving force is weaker above the pushing blade, causing materials at the wave’s crest to lag and tumble backwards. In the return stroke, materials are lifted over the tilted axis of the blade to form another wave. As the crest height grows, the wave becomes unstable, causing materials to tumble forwards and backwards, ensuring full agitation on every stroke. Each stroke, materials are displaced from their position which doesn’t occur in belt drying situations; this means that each particle receives equal access to warm airflow and thermal conduction during the process.
DryStation™ control system
Stronga optimise drying outcomes through intelligent and intuitive controls coupled with comprehensive operator training. FlowDrya is designed for continuous operation but drying conditions may change depending on the input material wet basis moisture content, ambient temperature and environment humidity. Some heat loads also fluctuate in the supply of thermal energy due to various factors.
The DryStation™ control system allows operators to configure set points, incorporating automatic modes which adjust operational factors in line with changing conditions. With the remote access option included, the entire control system can be monitored and controlled remotely using an iPad, iPhone, Android or desktop.
Performance, maintenance & insight
FlowDrya operations are managed by an integrated Programmable Logic Controller which, working in total synergy, maximises efficiency and reliability while reducing time and management costs. Low maintenance, robust PLC systems integrated and sealed within the dryer have durable infrastructures designed to withstand local operating temperature variations. Next-gen FlowDrya controls optimise drying processes to give you peace of mind while improving drying efficiency and outcomes. FlowDrya’s automation control systems offer safe and secure data logging, enabling operators to analyse key factors and optimise drying operations.
HMI touchscreen interface
The illuminated DryStation™ HMI touchscreen is the user’s graphical interface between the PLC system and the dryer. The DryStation™ console enables instant visual access to the controls, operating and safety parameters. FlowDrya’s control system incorporates the following equipment:
High resolution wide-screen colour display ✔; Innovative graphical user interface ✔; Easy-to-operate usability ✔; 3D imaging of your dryer with key parameter icons ✔; Energy usage monitoring ✔; Remote access potential (stand-alone control or SCADA integration) ✔; Modern soft-start technology ✔; Intelligent and explanative fault-finding notifications built-in, on-screen ✔; Time stamped data recording for operational analysis & comparison; enabling constant user learning ✔
Comprehensive operator training
During the commissioning phase, Stronga work together with the designated operator(s) to ensure they are fully trained with the flow dryer controls, safety, service and maintenance. The comprehensive training procedure is led by an experienced Stronga engineer, ensuring the operating team feel fully confident to take charge of the continuous flow drying process. What's more, our technical team remain on-hand to provide expert remote support, if required.
Harnessing thermal process energy
Our experience has taught us that there are many wasted heat sources from flue gases to process heat and CHP cooling. We believe that wasted heat should be fully utilised for both financial and environmental benefit. To make the most of your spare heat, you need a dryer that leads the way in versatility, durability and ease of operation. The following wasted residual heat sources can be harnessed by diverting spare heat via heat exchange into FlowDrya, adding value by drying available wet material:
• Gas engine thermal output from landfill sites and AD plants
• Industrial process heat from cement production & more
• Residual heat from Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) units
• Residual heat load from steam turbines & more
• Other hot exit air and flue gas sources
FlowDrya vs. ‘The Other Guys’
Comparing in-feed hopper capacity
FlowDrya has several in-feed hopper arrangements with capacities to the suit the material, customer's requirements, bulk density and moisture to be removed. Through thermal conduction, the in-feed hopper raises material towards evaporative temperature before they reach the drying bed while large cubic capacities maximise loading intervals. ‘The Other Guys’ require complex in-feed conveyor arrangements which make the process labour-intensive and expensive.
Comparing dry output discharge
FlowDrya actively pushes dry output from height, enabling amble space for above-ground discharge onto conveyors, cross augers or bunkering into a suitably-sized dry store. Simple discharge arrangements aren’t possible with belt dryers which generally discharge very low to the ground.
Comparing electrical energy requirement
FlowDrya requires 4-8X less electrical energy than a conventional belt dryer. This adds up to 10s of thousands of pounds / Euros saved every year in electrical energy only. With FlowDrya, the owner can normally use the on-site energy supply whereas belt dryers typically require an expensive extra energy supply to be installed. As well as the substantial extra electrical expense, this is all hassle and logistical hard-work.
Comparing hydraulic moving floor vs. Moving belt
FlowDrya’s powerful hydraulic moving floor pushes materials of all densities and moistures. Stronga create “airflow zones” to reduce back pressure and minimise dust which improves drying outcomes. In a moving belt situation, the belt has to be constantly cleaned using air, water or mechanical brushes. The belt can slip, stretch and be damaged by certain objects, leading to costly downtime. Air zoning is only possible by adding complexity, maintenance, energy and cost with even more fans.
Comparing drying efficiency
Material in belt dryers is typically slower to reach evaporative temperature because air is the only method of drying while the belt provides high air resistance which is detrimental to the drying process. FlowDrya offers both thermal hot air and conductive drying via the warm stainless steel drying bed. Conductive drying is accelerated by PulseWave™ agitation of the material. All of this means that FlowDrya accelerates material to the evaporation phase faster while the combination of agitation and conductive heat optimises drying efficiency.
Comparing material agitation
Fully agitating the material during the continuous flow process is vital for uniformity and efficient optimisation of dry output. FlowDrya’s PulseWave™ moving floor agitates material every single stroke, without the costs associated with the belt dryer’s separate agitation paddles. Each belt dryer paddle has an associated cost in capital and maintenance terms. They have bearings, shafts, gearboxes and motors which have additional electrical cost, plus wearing out in high duty situations and need replacing.
Committed to working with you
Value-driven approach to projects ✔; Individual & communicable ✔; Highly experienced & knowledgeable across a wide range of materials ✔; Attentive to the customer’s best outcomes ✔; Practical, long life equipment ✔; Simple, reliable & easy-to-use solutions ✔; Environmentally responsible & conscientious approach ✔
Stronga have clear product values of building long life machines with excellent reliability while delivering high performance. Our vision is based on long term values dedicated to adding value for our clients while eliminating waste, improving efficiency, striving for innovation and evolution. Our goal is to be close to the customer, building mutual trust throughout the whole process.
Contact our technical team today to discuss your drying project >
FlowDrya is a modular, scalable, individualised continuous drying solution. Please enquire using the form below to discuss a suitably scaled solution for your project.