Innovative belt drier for fermented residues

Belt drying is a well-known, established process for biomass. However, as Armin Vonplon and Werner Jenewein of the Austrian manufacturer Andritz report, the challenge was to find ways of developing proven sludge drying components in a newly adapted belt drying system.


The techniques of closed air circuit, back-mixing, low-temperature drying and product cooling from Andritz’s drying process, which had proved reliable and efficient over time, have been successfully remixed into a new concept. The first of these new type plants was commissioned in Altenrhein in Switzerland in July 2002. Within a year of the launch, other contracts were received and filled in Frohnleiten in Austria, Golbey in France, Mollerusa in Spain, Wohlen in the Czech Republic, and Böblingen in Germany.

The main strength of the belt dryer technique is its adaptability to different heat sources. Waste heat, that would otherwise be discarded, such as steam, hot water or flue gas can be used for heating alongside primary energy sources such as natural gas and oil. The process comes in three different variants.

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