The multi-belt dryer from Theilen Maschinenbau GmbH is a continuous convection dryer with a very small footprint. The product to be dried is conveyed in multiple layers on a ventilated belt through the dryer housing, where it is exposed to a flow of hot air. A well-ventilated product layer is a prerequisite for this.
Even distribution of the material to be dried onto the conveyor belt is the foundation for a controlled and reproducible drying process. Our multi-belt dryers enable continuous drying with a compact design and can be individually configured for a variety of products and process requirements.
The product is typically fed via a distribution belt located in front of the feed section of the multi-belt dryer. Depending on the properties of the material being dried, the product feed can additionally be supplemented by a leveling rake or a rotating, height-adjustable product leveler.
This ensures that the product layer on the conveyor belt is as uniform as possible, thereby creating an important prerequisite for homogeneous drying.
A distinctive feature of the multi-belt dryer is the automatic redistribution of the product as it moves from one drying level to the next. During each level change, the product is transferred, loosened, and redistributed.
This repeated movement of the product allows new surfaces of the material—when suitable for drying—to come into contact with the drying air. This can contribute to more uniform drying and an improvement in product quality.
The multi-belt dryer is divided into several drying levels. Each level consists of several drying chambers. In each drying chamber, a separate recirculation fan ensures that the drying air is directed as specified.
The drying air is directed vertically from top to bottom through the product. By combining multiple drying levels arranged one above the other, high drying capacity can be achieved on a comparatively small footprint.
The number of levels and the design of the individual drying zones can be adapted to the specific product, the desired throughput, and the required process conditions.
A key advantage of the multi-belt dryer is that the product is repeatedly redistributed during the drying process. With each level change, the material being dried is transferred, loosened, and turned. At the same time, the fill height can be adjusted and the belt speed can be varied.
The targeted repositioning of the product brings new product surfaces into contact with the drying air. For suitable materials, this can contribute to more uniform drying and improved product quality.
The combination of multiple drying levels also enables high drying capacity on a comparatively small footprint. The multi-belt dryer thus offers a compact and flexible solution for applications with high demands on throughput and drying capacity.
Our multi-band dryers are manufactured primarily from high-quality stainless steel. The robust design is engineered for long-lasting and reliable operation and offers high resistance to the thermal and mechanical stresses encountered during the drying process.
Our multi-belt dryers can be equipped with high-performance electronic control and regulation systems. This allows the relevant process parameters to be quickly and precisely adapted to the specific properties of the material being dried and the desired drying conditions.
Among other things, the following parameters can be controlled:
Continuous real-time process monitoring enables precise control of the relevant operating parameters. Deviations can be detected early on, and the corresponding process parameters can be adjusted as needed.
In this way, the control system supports consistent and reproducible product quality while also enabling demand-based and energy-efficient operation of the multi-belt dryer.
Depending on the application, you can choose from different models of multi-stage belt dryers. Optional equipment is also available:
Our multi-belt dryers cover a wide range of applications, from entry-level equipment for continuous drying to large-scale industrial use, and from cut fruits and vegetables to herbs, spices, and animal feed. The technical specifications are correspondingly diverse:
Gernot Ingenerf
Division Manager, Belt Dryers and Specialized Systems
