Water extorting conveying device for energy efficient dewatering of bulk materials

Abstract

For optimizing and theryfore energy saving while drying of green cuttings a mechanical pre-dewatering machine was developed. This was neccessary because of changes in the political and economic environment. Since subsidies have been reduced and the price of energy has been raised, pure thermal drying becomes unprofitable. A cooperation project between the Chemnitz University of Technology and the fömat GmbH resulted in a worm extruder especially for green cuttings with the advantage not rinsing out nutritive substances. – Since 2010 these conveying device has been fully integrated into the drying process. During one drying season with approximately 1800 hours of operation the system was able to squeeze 10500 m³ water out of 47200 t of green cuttings. In consequence 25 % of energy was saved. The quality of green fodder was not impaired and all important nutrients were almost completely preserved.