Drying & Refining Mass and Energy Balance

JBW was retained to provide a mass and energy balance of the drying system at a facility experiencing issues with plugging issues in the drying systems duct between the ID fan and cyclone. The client also informed us that the drying boiler was underperforming and not able to meet the intended target outlet temperature. It was identified that the duct was plugging during colder ambient temperatures. JBW was able to provide air flow testing and readings that determined that the current transport velocity was below the recommended transport velocity, most likely causing the product to drop out of the airstream and plug the duct. JBW recommended installing a new ID Fan motor to increase the system airflow to reduce the risk of plugging the duct between the ID and fan and cyclone. It was also recommended to install inlet duct heaters to pre-heat the air going into the drying boiler, which would assist the drying boiler in reaching the estimated required drying boiler outlet temperatures during both the winter months. Once the recommendations were accepted, JBW was able to work with the client as well as contractors and vendors to get the new fan motor and pre-heating system installed.