Granular materials like grains require drying methods that provide uniform exposure to drying air, efficient moisture removal, and continuous movement to prevent clumping or localized overheating.
A rotary dryer is specifically designed for such materials. It consists of a large rotating cylindrical shell in which the granular material is continuously agitated and tumbled through a hot air stream.
This movement allows for thorough mixing, uniform drying, and prevention of material sticking to the dryer surface.
Rotary dryers are commonly used in the agricultural, chemical, and food industries due to their robustness, high throughput, and efficiency in handling free-flowing bulk solids.
Let's review the other options:
- Freeze dryer: Used for sensitive biological or pharmaceutical materials, not for bulk drying of grains.
- Tunnel dryer: More suitable for drying large, moist solids like fruits and vegetables on trays.
- Tray dryer: Also used for batch drying of solid materials in trays, not suitable for continuous drying of granular materials.
Thus, the rotary dryer stands out as the most efficient and industry-standard solution for drying granular materials like grains.