Definition of Drum flaker
Drum flaker is used to transform molten materials to solid or to dry solutions. In fact, the state transformation is done during a solidification or crystallization process. The molten or dissolved feed comes into contact with a rotating drum that is cooled or heated (depending on the operation) by internal fluid. If the purpose is drying, the internal fluid is a hot fluid (generally hot oil), while transformation of molten material is wanted, the internal fluid is a cold fluid (such as water, glycol, etc.). The heat is transferred during drum rotation and the product (solid) is separated from the drum by a blade or knife. The blade or knife can be made of cast iron, chrome-steel, beryllium copper and so on depending on the particular application. The form and size of the product depends on the nature of the feed and to some extent on the process conditions. Drum flaker can be made of carbon-steel, stainless steel, nickel alloys and even bronze. Drum flaker design is generally based on the BS or ASME standards. The size of flaker is determined by heat load. The total heat load is equal to the sum of the heat needed to change the liquid temperature to the temperature of the phase change, the latent heat of the phase change (liquid to solid) and the heat required to change the product temperature to the desired temperature. Using heat transfer coefficients based on previous experience, it is possible to calculate the effective surface area of drum flaker. Another important factor is the length to diameter ratio for flaker which depends on the liquid and solid properties and is determined experimentally. The length to diameter ratio is usually 1 to 3.
How drum flaker works
Applications of Drum flaker
Drum flaker is widely used in chemical, food and healthcare industries. For example, it is used in chemical industry for fatty acids, sulfur, calcium chloride, polyethylene glycol, resins, etc.; in food industry for cheese, chocolate, dough, vegetables, etc.; in healthcare industry for soap. Moreover, drum flaker can be designed as a closed system, so it can be suitable choice for toxic or offensively smelling materials.
How Drum flaker works
Using a drum flaker, the molten material can be solidified or dried in a continuous process. A thin layer of feed (molten or soluble) adheres to the outer surface of a rotating drum that becomes cold (for molten feed) or warm (for solution). If the feed is molten material, it cools and solidifies upon contact with the cold surface of the drum; if it is soluble, it is dried in contact with the hot surface of the drum. Finally, the product (solids or flakes on the drum) is removed from the drum by a blade.
The size of product can be controlled by controlling the rotation speed, layer thickness and blade angle. Careful design ensures optimum use of the drum surface area to maximize capacity at the chosen operating conditions. The drum flaker is used to produce flakes, drying solutions and also converting products into easily manageable pastilles or pills.
The main equipment of Drum flaker
A Drum flaker generally includes a drum, internal thermal jacket, separator blade, electromotor and gearbox.
Drum: the drum is welded to the head and shaft. The drum is designed for maximum stability, since distortion due to differential temperature gradient in normal operation is impossible. The drum is designed such that the heat is transferred uniformly, so the uniform products are obtained.
Electromotor and gearbox: the electromotor provides the necessary rotational motion. The gearbox converts the electromotive speed to power. Output speed of gearbox is less that 10 rpm for drum flaker.
Internal thermal jacket: when solidification of the molten feed is the purpose, liquid refrigerant is inside the drum; while the hot fluid is inside the drum for drying solutions. In both cases, the internal fluid is sprayed by the central tube on the inner surface of drum. The turbulent flow causes maximum heat transfer across the entire surface of drum, including the end and head of shell. Consequently, an equal temperature is guaranteed over the total length of the drum, resulting in uniform flakes. After heat exchange, the fluid is siphoned from the end of shaft in the drum to prevent the accumulation of refrigerant (or hot fluid). This design feeds and discharges refrigerant (or hot fluid) through a shaft.
Scraper blade: the task of scraper blade is to remove the products from the rotating drum after solidification of molten materials or drying. A rigid structure is designed for the blade so that the pressure is uniform throughout the drum and there is no vibration. A mechanical system controls the blade pressure. The blades are made of different materials such as steel and even some kind of plastics. The product (flake) size can be determined by the choice of scraper system.
Drum Flaker Machine
Advantages of Drum flaker
- Suitable for wide range of chemicals and pharmaceuticals
- Continuous drying and cooling
- Easy operation
- Low cost of operation
- High thermal efficiency
- Minimum thermal degradation
- Adjustable drum speed for optimum operation
- Uniform product
- Relatively large flakes in one step operation
Design, manufacture and after sales services
With many years of experience and a legacy of innovation, Vandad Chemical Industry Company has designed and manufactured high quality and modern Drum Flaker by its professional engineers. Material and dimension of Drum flaker in determined based on the feed and expected capacity. Viscosity of feed also plays an important role in drum flaker’s design. Therefore, according to the key parameters of feed and capacity, the drum flaker is designed and manufactured based on the specific standards. Manufactured machines have up to 1 year repair warranty. It is taught in person by company engineers that how to work. Moreover, different points such as how to start, operation setting, how to shut down the system, maintenance , etc. will be given in a separate booklet (final book).
Please contact us for catalog and price list.