Line Redesign Launches New Small- and Mid-Size Desiccant Dryers

A new generation of desiccant dryers feature an air-to-air aftercooling option, which reduces the temperature of return air from the drying hopper, improving the moisture-absorption efficiency of the desiccant. Conair’s Carousel PlusX series portable dryers and dX series mobile drying/conveying systems make their official debut at NPE2018.

The new dryers are the result of a complete redesign of Conair’s Carousel Plus desiccant dryer architecture. Specifically the company revamped its portable dryers and mobile drying/conveying systems—the former W series and MDCW series—sized from 15 to 400 lb/hr throughput.

Utilizing customer feedback, the new X and dX series dryers combine a new feature-packed control with high-reliability components that maximize performance, uptime, and energy efficiency. These are housed in a space-efficient chassis, which in addition to a compact footprint, offers direct access to key components like filters. 

The air-to-air aftercooling on the X and dX series dryers is required to reduce the temperature of the return air from the drying hopper, improving the moisture-absorption efficiency of the desiccant. Now, processors can 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, maximizes dryer portability, and makes installation and setup faster and easier.

New Controls
At the heart of the new dryers is the new DC-C programmable electronic controller, developed specifically for drying applications. Using software developed by Conair, the control maximizes flexibility in adapting to current and future application needs. It is available on both the X and dX series dryers in two configurations: a 4-inch touchscreen user interface on the DC-C Plus and a 7-inch screen on the DC-C Premium.

Both share a common HMI layout, making them easy for processors to learn, and both offer dew-point monitoring and control, energy-use reporting, heater on-time trending and predictive maintenance as standard. 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 utilizes RTD sensors in the hopper to confirm that proper drying conditions are maintained. Premium units also offer remote access and control capabilities and enhanced monitoring and alarm functions.

Both control configurations offer built-in loader options as well. 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. dX series mobile drying/conveying systems include a stainless-steel hopper, conveying blower, dust collector and direct-feed vacuum receiver 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.