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Gas fired infrared radiation dryer, Seco-Rad from Babcock

Babcock has introduced a gas fired infrared radiation dryer, Seco-Rad with the following revolutionary features:

* Uniform non-contact predrying of fabric over entire length and width

The radiation dryer is a self-contained housing. This reduces heat losses and streaking on the fabric due to extraneous air. For good access and fabric observation, each unit has a door with inspection windows. The machine is of symmetrical design. The radiators are arranged opposite each other at an optimised distance. The fabric receives infrared radiation on both sides at once.

* Fresh-air/exhaust-air convection, tangential to fabric

The fresh air enters the housing through the low-level entry slit nozzle across the entire width of the fabric and tangentially to the fabric. This promotes exhaust-air convection and thereby increases drying performance.

* Uniform suction extraction of evaporated water through exhaust-air lock

At the head of the radiation dryer is the exhaust-air section with integrated fabric exit slit. Exhaust air and combustion gases are extracted uniformly and symmetrically over the entire width of the fabric. Additional extraction openings in the fabric exit slit prevent the escape of hot exhaust air, thereby preventing any heating of the guide rollers located above the slit.

* Operating temperature reached in 5-8 sec

No energy losses due to preheating to operating temperature on startup or after interruptions. Machine can be run without forerunners or intermediate cloths.

A virtually zero-mass radiator material forms the basis for the new generation of gas radiators. This permits short heating and cooling times. There is no need for complicated heating, cooling or nonstop mechanisms. The result: instant production readiness, rapid attainment of output level, precise and preselectable reproducibility.

* No scorching on stop/emergency stop

No scorching, even of very thin fabrics, if the fabric comes to a sudden standstill. When the gas supply is switched off (range stop), the radiator surface cools to below 100øC within 3 sec as a result of its low mass. The combustion air blower remains switched on and provides further cooling for the radiators. At the same time the exhaust-air convection also cools the fabric.

* Uniform radiator temperature over height and width of radiators

The very uniform high radiation intensity over the height and width of the radiator is a crucial feature for uniform drying. This is achieved by means of a homogeneously prepared gas-air mixture which emerges uniformly from the pores of the radiator matrix and only burns in the outer boundary layer. There is no heating of ceramic slabs by open flames with consequent temperature stratification.

* Exactly reproducible control of radiator surface temperature

The continuously variable control range of radiator surface temperature is from 500-900øC. The gas-air mixture is kept constant by special regulator systems. Combustion takes place without a visible flame in the thin layer of radiator material. Ignition is by means of a spark plug/pilot flame, and monitoring is by ionisation rod. Radiator preselection permits adjustment to suit the production situation.

* Driven traction rollers Fabric tension adjustable

The fabric passes through the radiation dryer from top to bottom. It is transported by guide rollers of ideally large radius. The fabric tension can be adjusted via the drive of these rollers.

* Self-cleaning roller pair

A self-cleaning effect is achieved by over or underfeed.

* Fabric widths/gas types

The radiation dryer can be used for fabric widths of between 1200 and 3600 mm, in steps of 200 mm. The radiators can be run on natural gas, liquefied gas or town gas.

* Evaporation rate adjustable to suit different fabrics and production requirements

* Design for flexible output

Depending on fabric weight, substrate and production speed, multiple dryers can be arranged in series. This and the possibility of selecting the sections permits flexible output design for the entire range.

* Output control by moisture sensor

Output control by moisture sensor can be fitted (option)

* Edge switching facilities

Systems with a fabric width of 1.8 m or more can be equipped with edge switching facilities, allowing the outer zone of the radiators to be switched off to save energy (option).

* High efficiency

Instant production readiness without preheating, combined with optimal energy utilisation due to homogeneous temperature distribution, make for high efficiency and production without forerunners.

* High operational reliability

For safety reasons, the functional sequence of the radiation dryer is largely automated. If the pressure sensors for exhaust air, combustion air and gas pressure indicate “ready”, all other functions take place automatically when the drive is switched on. The radiators are not sensitive to water or dirt.

* Low maintenance

Maintenance requirements are very low, because there are no moving parts. The radiators have a long service life.