Dyer Optimisation

The size and running cost of solvent VOC abatement plant depends on the process load.

Typically, press dryers have large volumes of exhaust with low concentrations of solvent. Without optimisation, the abatement could be considerably larger and significantly more expensive to run. The effect is illustrated below. Therefore, it is essential before considering abatement plant the process loading must be examined carefully.

An example of an installation with 5 flexo presses having an existing airflow of 45,000 Nm³/h:

In this example, without optimisation, the Total Costing is around £145,843

When optimisation is applied to the same example, the Total Costing reduces down to £39,632

The Optima system developed by EPM has successfully reduced the abatement loading on many types of press.
This involves modifying the existing dryers to recirculate the exhaust air to the inlet air under carefully controlled conditions.

The concentration of solvent is continuously monitored to regulate the recirculation with various safety and alarm functions.

The benefits of dryer optimisation are:

• Reduced size / cost of abatement plant.
• Reduced running cost of abatement plant (both capital and running cost of fan and burner)
• Reduced cost of ductwork, dampers, mains supplies (gas and power) etc
• Reduced cost of energy at dryers
• Increased drying speed is regularly achieved.