Atractylodes macrocephala Drying Site
1.Client Background
A large-scale traditional Chinese medicine processing enterprise, located in an agricultural production area with abundant surrounding biomass resources (such as straw and sawdust). With fluctuating global energy prices, the company urgently needs a stable heat source with lower operating costs and unaffected by rainy weather to further reduce the processing costs of Atractylodes macrocephala and enhance its market competitiveness.
2.Needs and Challenges
High Energy Costs: Although heat pumps are highly efficient, electricity costs remain considerable during periods of high electricity prices.
Seeking Localized Energy: The company hopes to utilize abundant local agricultural waste resources to “turn waste into treasure” and reduce overall costs.
Stability Requirements: A method is needed that is more environmentally friendly than coal-fired power, more economical than air-source heat pumps, and can provide a continuous and stable heat supply.
3. Solution
A 9-meter three-layer mesh belt biomass pellet dryer was designed and installed for the client. The core technology utilizes a biomass pellet burner to provide stable hot air, achieving low-cost, large-scale continuous drying.
System Core and Drying Process:
Heat Source System:
An automatic feeding biomass pellet burner is used, linked to the main drying unit, and can automatically start, stop, and adjust the firepower according to the set temperature.
Fuel: Locally available wood or straw biomass pellets are used, offering stable calorific value and low cost.
Environmental Protection: Equipped with a multi-stage dust removal system, emissions meet environmental protection requirements.
Drying Process Optimization (Targeting Biomass Hot Air Characteristics): Biomass hot air drying heats up faster and at higher temperatures, therefore the process requires more precise control of the airflow and temperature matching.
Preheating and Color Setting Zone (First Layer):
Hot Air Temperature: 50℃ – 55℃ (Slightly higher than the heat pump for rapid drying startup)
Large-Scale Dehumidification: Keep the fresh air valve fully open to quickly remove surface moisture and prevent yellowing.
Time: Approximately 1 hour
Rapid Dehydration Zone (Second Layer):
Hot Air Temperature: 60℃ – 65℃
Medium Airflow: Finding a balance between efficient dehydration and energy saving.
Time: Approximately 2 hours
Function: This stage is the main period of moisture evaporation. The stable high temperature provided by the biomass hot air significantly improves dehydration efficiency.
Slow Tempering and Drying Zone (Third Layer):
Hot Air Temperature: 55℃ – 60℃ (Temperature should be appropriately reduced to avoid loss of active ingredients due to high temperature)
Low Airflow Circulation: Primarily focuses on the migration of internal moisture to the outside, eliminating the need for large-scale dehumidification and saving energy.
Time: Approximately 1.5 hours
Total Drying Time: Optimized to approximately 4.5 hours. Due to the higher hot air temperature, the overall drying cycle is slightly shortened.
4.Customer Testimonials
“We initially chose biomass pellets as our heat source primarily because of their extremely low operating costs. In actual use, the results far exceeded our expectations. Not only are the fuel costs significantly lower than electricity or gas, but the stability is also excellent, providing the most reliable and economical guarantee for our large-scale production. This equipment truly gives us a core cost advantage.” – Mr. Li, Vice President of Production
For medicinal herb processing enterprises located in areas rich in biomass resources such as straw and sawdust, biomass pellet dryers are one of the ultimate solutions for achieving “on-site processing and cost reduction.” It perfectly transforms resource advantages into cost and industrial advantages, and is particularly suitable for the drying of large quantities of high-energy-consuming medicinal herbs such as Atractylodes macrocephala, Dioscorea opposita, and Salvia miltiorrhiza. It is a model of combining the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine agriculture with the circular economy.