Back to News August 2002 Batch Dryer MKII: 50% smaller! Geelen Counterflow is finalising the development of the second generation Batch Dryer, called Batch Dryer MkII, which follows the overwhelming click for larger image (26Kb)success of the Batch Dryer MkI for high capacity drying of extruded petfood, fish feed and food products. Main goal of the development team has been to reduce the installed cost and required plant space while continuing the successful concept without any technical compromise. Full size tests have succeeded and it is expected that the new generation will be ready for full scale commercialisation after the summer. The new Batch Dryer MkII occupies only 50% of the total plant volume that was required for one of its predecessors at the same capacity. Most of the reduction has been achieved by making the air system more compact. The air is still being properly filtered for fines and it is still possible to accurately control airflow for each individual drying zone. The latter is a prerequisite for Geelen Counterflow's patented automatic moisture control system. Included in the new air system is all ducting and insulation. The reduction in required plant volume is partially achieved by making the dryer up to 20% less tall than its predecessor. This has a positive impact on the chances of a vertical dryer fitting inside an existing building. It also reduces building cost in a green field scenario. Another significant improvement for the batch dryer MkII is a completely new product distribution system which puts the product exactly where you want it. The distributor is PLC driven, allowing different distribution patterns for each recipe. The dryer is supplied as part of a complete turn-key package including the Motor Control Centre for all motors, an advanced PLC control system which communicates seamlessly with any Scada system and a touch screen user interface. It is estimated that all these developments will lead to a reduction of the customer's installed cost of up to 30%. Geelen Counterflow is the inventor and worldwide leader in vertical cooling and drying technology. With over 250 units produced each year we are 100% dedicated to drying and cooling. In 1995 we produced the first vertical batch dryer for drying of extruded petfood. Such dryers are now operational on all continents in the world's leading petfood and fishfeed companies. Their success is based on four main advantages over belt type dryers: • Better moisture control and distribution   (fully automatic, down to +/- 0,25%) • Cleaner operation   (reductions up to 90% on cleaning time and costs) • Faster change-over   (no time lost, no compromise in drying) • Higher energy efficiency   (reductions up to 40% on energy costs) For more information please contact