PMMDA GUIDE TO DRYERS

Guide to DRYERS
Introduction
This document has been compiled by the PMMDA to provide plastics processors with a guide to material drying and a
code of practice against which dryer specifications can be measured.

The need for drying

Many thermoplastics absorb moisture during manufacturing, transport and storage. During the melt, hydrolysis can
occur resulting in substandard finished products in terms of both physical properties and surface appearance. Drying
prior to processing removes absorbed moisture preventing the occurrence of hydrolysis.

Glossary of terms

Aftercooler For high temperature drying, a heat exchanger on the return air reducing the air
temperature to maximise desiccant efficiency.
Carousel Dryer Multiple desiccant cells mounted on a rotating carousel cycling through process
drying, regeneration and cool down.
Cool Down Cooling of desiccant cell after regeneration to maximise drying efficiency.
Dehumidified Drying Use of heated, low dew point air, causing moisture to diffuse outwards from
within the pellet.
Desiccant Medium within the drier which extracts moisture from the re-circulating process
air.
Dewpoint The temperature at which condensation of moisture begins
Equilibrium The rate of diffusion of moisture into and out of the pellet are equal, the
moisture level of the material remaining constant and in equilibrium with the
surrounding atmosphere.
Hydrolysis A chemical breakdown of the molecular structure of the polymer in the melt due
to the presence of water and heat.
Hygroscopic Materials which absorb moisture within the pellet (dehumidified drying
recommended).
Initial Moisture Content Moisture content by weight prior to drying.
Non-Hygroscopic Material which take on surface moisture only.
Regeneration Heating of desiccant cell to high temperature to drive off absorbed moisture.
Residence Time Dwell time of material in the drying hopper required to ensure proper drying
Residual Moisture Content Moisture content by weight after drying
Single Desiccant Fixed Bed Dryer One desiccant cell cycled through process drying, regeneration and cooldown.
Twin Tower Flat Bed Dryer Two desiccant cells alternated between process drying and
regeneration/cooldown.

Moisture Content of Air Dryer - Units of Measurement

Dewpoint PPM Material throughput kg/hr

(ºc) (parts per million) Airflow M³/hr
-50 39.4 Temperature ºc
-44 80.1 Process Air Blower kW
-40 126.9 Regeneration air blower kW
-36 197.8 Process heater internal kW
-32 303 Process heater external kW
-30 374 Regeneration heater kW
-26 564 Total connected load kW
-20 1015 Average running load kW
-16 1480 Compressed air consumption L/min
-10 2562 Compressed air pressure Bar
0 6020 After-cooler water flow L/min @
ºc
Dimensions (L x W x H) mm
Weight kg
Dryer - Specification

Type of blower Root, side channel or other

Desiccant system Silica gel or molecular sieve
Desiccant system Fixed bed or carousel
Number of desiccant cells Number
Weight of desiccant per cell kg
After cooler Yes/no
Control system type Define
Regeneration control Fixed time, dew-point, other
Filter alarm Yes/no
Energy saver Yes/no

Hopper - Units of Measurement

Hopper Volume L
Hopper Heater KW
Dimensions mm

Hopper - Specification
Construction (material contact points) Mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, G.R.P., others
Insulation Yes / No
Insulation type Define
Access Opening Yes / No
Method of access Define
Sight Glass Yes / No
Mounting Machine / Floor frame / Mobile
Drain Port Yes / No
Material Shut-off Yes / No
Material Shut-off Operation Manual or automatic
Interconnecting Pipework Construction Define
Delivery air pipework insulation Yes / NO P

PMMDA Material Drying Parameter Guidelines

Material Drying Bulk Density Residence Initial Moisture Residual Moisture Airflow Requ.
Temp (ºc) (kg/L) Time (hr) Content (%) Content (%) (Nm3/kg/hr)
ABS 80 0.6 2-3 0.2 0.02 1.3 - 1.7
CA 75 0.5 2-3 1.0 0.02 1.8 - 2.5
CAB 75 0.5 2-3 0.8 0.02 2.2 - 2.5
CP 75 0.6 2-3 1.0 0.02 2.1 - 2.5
LCP 150 0.6 4 0.04 0.02 1.3
PA 70-80 0.65 3-6 1.0 0.05 1.7 - 2.2
PBT 120-140 0.7 4 0.3 0.02 1.3 - 1.7
PC 120 0.7 2-3 0.3 0.01 1.3
PE 90** 0.6 1 >0.01 >0.01 1.3 - 1.7
PE (40% black) 90 0.6 3 0.8 0.02 2.2 - 2.4
PEEK 150 0.6 3-4 0.4 0.02 1.3 - 1.7
PEI 150 0.6 3-4 0.25 0.02 1.3
PEN 170 0.85 5 0.01 0.005 1.7 - 2.5
PES 150-180* 0.7 4 0.8 0.02 1.4 - 1.7
PET (inj) 110-120 0.85 3-4 0.04 0.02 1.2
PET (preform/Extrusion) 160-180 0.85 6 0.08 0.005 1.7 - 2.5
PETG 60-70 0.6 4-6 0.5 0.02 1.7
PI 120-140 0.6 3 0.4 0.02 1.1 - 1.3
PMMA 70-100 0.65 3 0.5 0.02- 1.4 - 1.7
POM 95-110 0.6 3 0.2 0.02 1.2 - 1.7
PP 90 0.5 1 >0.01 0.02- 1.3 - 1.7
PPO 110-125 0.5 2 0.13 0.04 1.3 - 1.5
PPS 140-150 0.6 3-4 0.1 0.02 1.3
PS 80** 0.5 1 >0.01 0.02 1.1 - 1.3
PSU 120-170* 0.65 4 0.3 0.02 1.3 - 1.4
PUR 89-90 0.7 3 0.2 0.02 1.8 - 2.0
PVC 70** 0.5 1 0.1 0.02 1.1 - 1.5
SAN 80 0.5 2-3 0.1 0.05 1.2 - 1.5
SB 80 0.6 2 0.2 0.05 1.2 - 1.5
TPE 105 0.7 3 0.1 0.02 2.1

* Higher temperatures are for extrusion grades

** Surface moisture removal

NB: PMMDA Guidelines only. Consult material supplier for details.

 Regeneration of Desiccant Bed Drying of Material

Regeneration Process
Heater Heater Optional Dew
Point Meter

Desiccant
Bed
Drying Bin
Blower
Desiccant Blower
Bed
Filter
Indicator
Thermometer
Filter

airflow

After Cooler for

High Drying Temperatures
airflow

Molecular Seive vs. Silica Gel Desiccant

Heating of air produces a reduction in it's relative humidity. Low dew-point desiccant dryers provide far lower moisture
contents than heated air alone. The accompanying graph illustrates the greater affinity for moisture of molecular sieve
over silica gel or other types of desiccants at extremely low relative humidities,
Comparison of Relative Humidity
Effect on Various Desiccants
Absorption - Kg H²O per 100Kg Absorbent

40 Silica Gel

30
Molecular Sieves
Alumina
(Spherical)
20

Alumina (Granular)

10

0
0 20 40 60 80 100

Relative Humidity (%)

Dehumidified Drying
Sizing Material throughput (kg/hr) x air flow requirement (Nm³/kg/hr) = Dryer air flow required (m³/hr)
Material throughput (kg/hr) x residence time (hr) : bulk density (kg/l) = Minimum hopper size required (L)
Drying Hints Over drying may lead to material degradation and processing problems
Pre-dry for stipulated residence time prior to processing
If material is stored in outdoor silos, consider conveying to indoor day bin prior to drying.
Poor filter maintenance is a common cause of reduced drying performance.

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Polymer Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors Association.
P.O. Box 2539, Rugby, W arwickshire, CV23 9YF
T: 0870 2411474 F: 0870 2411475 E:[email protected]
W EB : WWW .pmmda.org.uk

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