TECHNOLOGY | MATERIALS PREPARATION


Right: Conair’s new Carousel Plus X Series portable dryer (left) and dX Series mobile drying/ conveying system offer advanced features, easy-to-use controls, and a new air-to-air intercooling option that eliminates the need for a cooling water supply


(6.8-181 kg/h) throughput. The new X and dX Series dryers combine a new control interface with high-reliability components that maximise performance, uptime and energy efficiency. These are housed in a new, space efficient chassis that not only preserves floor space but offers easier, more direct access to key components and to user-serviceable items like filters. The dryers also utilise new air-to-air


aftercooling, adds Conair. Aftercooling is required to reduce the temperature of the return air from the drying hopper, which improves the moisture-absorption efficiency of the desiccant. Now, processors may specify dryers equipped with either an optional air-to-water aftercooler or the new air-to-air aftercooler. The air-to-air unit can sustain drying efficiency while handling return-air temperatures of up to 375°F (190.5°C) and dew points of -40°F (-40°C). At the same time, it saves water, maximises dryer portabil- ity, and makes installation and set-up faster and easier. Conair adds that the dryers have a new DC-C


programmable electronic controller, which was developed specifically for drying applications. The control uses software developed by Conair to maximise flexibility in adapting to current and future customer application needs. It is available on both the X and dX Series dryers in two configura- tions: the DC-C Plus package features a 4-inch touchscreen user interface, while the DC-C Premium offers a 7-inch screen. Both configurations share a common HMI (human machine interface) layout, making them easy for processors to learn, regardless of dryer size. Both offer dew-point monitoring and control, energy-use reporting, heater on-time trending and


predictive maintenance as standard features. Premium units add additional energy-saving features, including Temperature Setback, which automatically adjusts drying air input temperatures to avoid overheating, and an optional Drying Monitor, which utilises RTD (resistance temperature detector) sensors in the hopper to confirm that proper drying conditions are maintained. Premium units also offer remote access and control capabili- ties and enhanced monitoring and alarm functions. The control configurations also offer built-in loader options. The Plus configuration includes options for one loader, the Premium for two, typically with the first loader option used for the processing machine and the second serving the dryer hopper. Dryers supplied as part of dX Series mobile drying/conveying systems include a stainless-steel hopper, conveying blower, dust collector and direct-feed vacuum receiver – all assembled on a wheeled cart. Loaders can be supplied with a sensor to confirm resin fill levels, a ratio valve for loading two materials (typically a regrind and a virgin) into the dryer, and a choice of long- or short-distance conveying blowers. According to Charlie Sears, President and Chief


Dri-Air Dryer 4.0 adapts to conditions and changes in the operation autonomously, gathering information and adapting on its own


42 INJECTION WORLD | March 2018


Executive Officer of Dri-Air Industries, the major trend in industry in general today is also the main trend in drying plastics resins – Industry 4.0. “Our innovation is called Dri-Air Dryer 4.0, which utilises internet capabilities to create dryers that solve many issues that have been common to plastics processing for years,” he says. “Dri-Air Dryer 4.0 adapts to conditions and changes in the operation autonomously, gathering information and adapting on its own. A few of the former issues that are resolved by Dri-Air Dryer 4.0 include dirty filters that reduce airflow, rewiring the rotation on blowers after the dryer is moved, annoying alarms to assure that relays and heaters are functioning, return heat exchangers to manage temperatures


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