Inside this two-pass electric infrared predryer from Glenro Inc., Radplane heaters operate in two distinct zones. This allows a user to fine-tune the predrying process and achieve fast line speeds with high product quality.
Textile manufacturers, printers and finishers are seeing production efficiency improvements after installing or retrofitting electric infrared predrying systems. Electric infrared predrying hits fabric with a blast of intense, closely controlled infrared energy before it enters the conventional drying apparatus. The extra burst of energy raises fabric temperature and drying is already underway when the fabric reaches the main dryer.

In many textile operations, infrared predrying can provide higher product quality by reducing or eliminating process irregularity problems. For example, a two-sided predrying approach from Glenro Inc., Paterson, NJ, eliminates unwanted dye migration and improves final product color. In addition, feedback temperature control improves maintenance of final moisture content levels.

Unpredictable gas prices and deregulation in the electric power industry has made power companies more interested in working with customers. Electric power pro-viders are eager to work with textile producers to help justify a conversion to electric infrared predrying, and, according to Jim Alimena of Glenro, it is becoming possible to negotiate favorable electricity rates. By installing electric infrared predryer systems, textile companies are finding they can boost product quality, increase line speeds and cut energy and maintenance costs.