The Compressed air professionalsNew innovation in dry bulk transport
High-quality air dryer counteracts condensation
How do you prevent condensation in a silo trailer, and therefore the growth of bacteria or germs? This question kept Barry Gruijters, Operations Director Division Dry Bulk at Van den Bosch busy for some time. The answer lies in a new innovation that he developed together with Ants Technology & Consulting: a high-quality air dryer to improve the air quality in the silo trailer.
The air dryer is equipped with an active carbon filter. This filters the incoming air in such way that it is of better quality than the outside air that is still present in the trailer as a result of the loading process. Gruijters explains: "The system draws in outside air, filters, adsorbs and dries it and blows it into the trailer. The unfiltered and possibly humid air in the trailer is purged. In this way we improve the air quality in the trailer and prevent condensation. This reduces the risk of residual loads and prevents the growth of bacteria or germs".
Hygiene and food safety
The first trailer is now equipped with the air dryer and ready for the test phase. During the design, much attention was paid to hygiene and food safety, such as the prevention of protruding parts and unevenness, and the use of food-grade materials. The trailer is also fitted with sensors. "These measure, among other things, the moisture value of the incoming and outgoing air and are connected to a data logger that allows us to analyse the data during and after testing," Gruijters says. The air dryer is active during transport and also works during parking, if connected to electricity.
Milkpowder and flour
The air dryer is used to transport dry bulk goods for the food industry. "Especially hygroscopic products, such as milk powder and flour, you want to keep absolutely dry to guarantee product quality and functionality," Gruijters continues. "With the development of this air dryer, we are raising the standard in the market. These kinds of systems are now only used for transporting flour. Our design has a much broader application and focuses not only on drying but also on air quality. This is how we distinguish ourselves in the area of food safety."
The test trailer has now been put into operation and is being used to transport flour. After the test period, the air dryer will be further developed in consultation with interested parties.
