Pros and Cons of Fluidized Beds

The purpose of a fluid bed dryer is to make a solid behave as a fluid. This is usually accomplished by introducing pressurized fluid through particulate medium. After this, the medium will have many similar characteristics and properties as fluids, such as the ability to free flow under gravity. One of the several applications fluidized beds are utilized for is chemical reactors. Some advantages of using a fluidized bed include uniform particle mixing and Continue reading

Drying Solids in the Blink of an Eye

Flash dryers combine mechanical agitation, forced air and hot gases to dry and resize caked and paste-like solid materials. Not to be confused with the flash dryers utilized by many high school clubs and sports teams to make the most suggestive screen print shirts they can get away with. A flash dryer is actually a large industrial dryer that can Continue reading

Continuous Drying for Fast-Paced Industries

For high-paced industries that require the drying of large quantities of goods and quickly, continuous dryers are a necessity. Continuous dryers are used in an array of industries including publishing, agricultural, food processing, apparel and lumber. There is no one specific design for a continuous dryer. It is a name given to a dryer that dries products continuously Continue reading

Spray Dryers: Turning Liquids Into Powder

When hiking and going on long camping trips, space efficiency is important. There is only so much room available to store clothes, food and camping equipment. A common remedy as far as food is concerned is to buy food that has been dried into a powder that can be pack tightly. To turn the powder into a meal, you just Continue reading

Commercial Dryers up in Flames

There are a number of household items that pose a serious risk of starting a house fire. The most common fires are cooking fires, which make up forty percent of all house fires. The most deadly house fires are caused by cigarettes. Smokers may fall asleep and leave cigarettes, pipes and Continue reading

Drying Fruit with Food Dryers

One of my favorite snacks while either hiking or camping is trail mix. The assortment of mixed nuts, M&Ms and dried fruit is a delicious way to keep hunger at bay until it’s time to settle down for a meal. On many Boy Scout camping trips and hikes I’ve used the snack to keep warm and Continue reading

Freeze Drying is Out of This World

When I was in middle school, we went to a space center that allowed us to experience how it felt to be an astronaut. We wore space suits, participated in a space shuttle mission simulation and even got to try space food. The highlight of my trip was when I got to try the astronaut ice cream. It wasn’t the tastiest treat, but Continue reading