Techniques

Agratechniek Drying Method

Drying is a complex process. An optimal and economical drying process is not possible with a start-stop button and a thermostat. Therefore, Agratechniek has developed the ABC processor, which automatically adjusts the temperature and airflow according to the Agratechniek Drying Method (ADM) to the specific needs for an optimal drying result.

A technique for every product

Dynamic drying is the future

Agratechniek Drying Method for continuous and energy-efficient drying

In nature, everything seeks balance — and the same principle applies to drying. When an agricultural product such as seeds has a high moisture content and the air passing through it has a lower humidity level, moisture is transferred from the product to the air. This process continues until an equilibrium moisture content is reached. Once this equilibrium is achieved, moisture exchange stops and the product will no longer dry, regardless of the amount of airflow under the same conditions.

To prevent the drying process from slowing down or stopping, Agratechniek developed the Agratechniek Drying Method (ADM). By combining five drying phases, the ABC processor, and the WAgratech air dryer, the system continuously adapts the drying conditions to maintain efficient moisture removal at every stage of the process.

The Agratechniek Drying Method provides significant savings on electricity and fuel consumption thanks to variable airflow and heating capacity. By using dehumidified air, the desired low moisture content is reached faster while reducing energy costs.

In addition, the drying capacity of existing installations can be greatly increased. The ABC processor continuously optimizes the drying process to achieve the best possible results with minimal energy consumption.

This results in lower operating costs, improved product quality, and higher returns through a more efficient and controlled drying process.

Modular ABC-processor

Expandable where necessary, agile and flexible in every application

Balanced moisture content at every stage of the process

Leader in innovations

50 years of high-end technology for drying solutions

Drying step by step

The five drying steps in detail

In the first phase of drying, it is important to remove moisture from the outer layers of the crop as quickly as possible.

With the ABC processor, this is achieved by:
Setting a large difference in moisture content (high delta AH) between the air and the crop for a short period of time.
Creating an intensive airflow.

The first phase pre-lowers the microbial pressure and creates moisture imbalance between the outer and deeper layers of the crop. The second phase restores the balance between these layers: the moisture in the core of the crop comes into balance with the drier outer layer. The outer layer strives to achieve equilibrium with the ambient air.

To ensure that this process does not proceed too quickly, a lower Delta-AH must be set in the ABC processor. Drying then takes place in a controlled and gradual manner. The moisture is adsorbed by less, but ample, air.

As soon as the set minimum time has elapsed and the desired AH value has been reached, the third phase starts. In the third phase, the crop is further gradually dried by setting a lower Delta-AH. To maintain the gradual drying process, the Delta-AH is reduced even further in phase 4.

In the fifth phase, the AH in the air reaches the desired equilibrium with the seed. This is the stabilization phase. In this phase, the amount of air continues to decrease until a minimal airflow is achieved. The moisture content in the crop is then completely stable, both within the crop itself and across all layers. At this point, the Delta-AH is equal to 0. The fifth phase ends after a set time.

Efficient and homogeneous drying

The five stages in the graph

Overview of regular drying

In the initial phase of drying, the crop readily releases moisture to the dry air. As the drying process progresses, this moisture release slows down because the moisture from the core must migrate to areas with lower vapor pressure differences between the crop and the air. This prolongs the time required to reach equilibrium moisture levels.

Add dried air in the final phase

The desired moisture content of the crop (y) is easily achieved when the ambient air (X) has a low moisture content. By adding dried air, this dry air is given ample opportunity to absorb the remaining moisture.

Example of a small AH difference in the final phase

If the moisture difference (y - X) is too small, it will take a long time to reach the desired moisture content (T3).

Dry break in case of excessive humidity

If the moisture content of the air (X) is higher than the equilibrium moisture content of the garlic, the desired moisture content in the crop will not be reached. The drying process can be temporarily stopped (T4) awaiting drier air (T5).

Shorter drying time with WAgratech Air Dryer

When dried air is mixed with the process air (Td) during the drying process, the moisture content of the air drops significantly (from X to Xd). This enables the crop to reach the desired final moisture content (y) more quickly. By using dried air, the desired (low) moisture content is consistently achieved. The drying time in the final phase (T7) is also significantly shortened, which ultimately significantly increases the capacity of the drying system. The ABC processor ensures that the dried air from the central WAgratech Air Dryer is optimally distributed across the drying sections or crate positions, maximizing efficiency and uniformity.

The Agratechniek Drying Method is controlled by the ABC Processor.

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