The Canadian Energy Diversification Research Laboratory (CEDRL), which initially developed and patented the pulsed technology, awarded the exclusive global license to Aeroglide in 2001. “Licensee selection was based upon review of a market assessment and commercialization plan, history of successful new technology commercialization and design innovation,” said Tom Barber, Aeroglide's regional director, Americas.

In the pulsed fluid-bed system, pulses of air move up through a stationary, perforated plate and through the bed of product. The rapid heat transfer from the high velocity pulsed airflow dries, cools, toasts, puffs or roasts particulate product. According to Aeroglide, the AeroPulse can accomplish the same heating, drying and cooling results in one-third to one-half the time of a conventional conveyor dryer and cooler. With operating temperatures up to 572^oF (300^oC), the AeroPulse also has been successful in half-product pellet expansion, puffing and toasting, according to the company.

Unlike conventional fluid beds that rely on a steady stream of air to fluidize the product, the Aeroglide unit delivers pulses of air sequentially along the product bed and can be adjusted in volume, velocity and frequency to fluidize the product. According to Aeroglide, the pneumatic vibration allows the product to fluidize using 30 percent to 50 percent less air than does a conventional fluid bed. The benefits are reduced energy consumption and the ability to fluidize a bed of products that vary in size, the company said.

To boost production, Aeroglide notes that pulsed fluid-bed technology can be added as a predryer upstream of an existing conventional dryer. The company's pilot-plant test dryer is available for product development and new process scaleup, either on site or at Aeroglide's test facility.

For more information, call (919) 851-2000 or go to www.aeroglide.com.