PLC-SDCC PLC Industrial Process Control for SDCC

The Computer Controller Spray Dryer and Chiller Unit, SDCC, consists of two systems with independent inlet and outlet computer controlled speed fans.

For the spray drying, a computer controlled speed pump impels the liquid to be dried to the top of the drying tower, where it is sprayed by a nozzle, thus entering the tower dispersed in fine drops. The compressed air enters the tower, being directed to the liquid that leaves from the nozzle, which is immediately sprayed. The nozzle can work with two fluids, allowing the operation with thick products and solids in suspension.

A hot air current is introduced in the tower, causing the sudden evaporation of the surface moisture of the particles. The flow of air is supplied by a computer controlled fan and heated by a computer controlled heating element (PC).

There is another computer controlled fan at the outlet that takes in the air from the tower through a cyclone separator, enabling to work with variable pressures and residence times. There is a bag filter at the air outlet to obtain a clean outlet air without product powder.

When products containing fats are dried, there is a fluidized bed cooler to cool down the spray dried powders. The fluidized bed helps to crystallize the fat content.

In case of spray chilling, the air flow from the inlet fan to the spray tower is cooled instead of heated. A heat exchanger that uses water chilled in its own chilling unit as working fluid is employed for this chilling.

The unit includes valves and accessories for a quick change between spray drying and chilling. Besides, the position of the nozzles can also be changed and the working mode can be selected between co-current and counter-current.

Different sensors allow for measuring the most important variables of the process: temperatures, pressures, flow and relative humidity.

This Computer Controlled Unit is supplied with the EDIBON Computer Control System (SCADA), and includes: The unit itself + a Control Interface Box + a Data Acquisition Board + Computer Control, Data Acquisition and Data Management Software Packages, for controlling the process and all parameters involved in the process.