The SolarFlow concept is a continuous process for drying sludge and other substrates.
The material to be dried is fed directly onto the drying surface (by wheel loader, truck or push-off trailer) or fully automatically via conveying units such as pumps or spiral conveyors. Our fully automatic turning devices, the SludgeTiller or the SludgeManager, take care of spreading, mixing, turning and conveying. The sludge is discharged either via conveying units (e.g., spiral conveyors), directly into containers or manually using a wheel loader.
The SludgeTiller was developed for standard system concepts with hall widths of up to 12.2 m. The machine has a turning drum that extends across the entire width of the hall and enables efficient distribution, mixing and turning of the sludge. The SludgeManager is the ideal solution for drying chambers up to 20 m wide. As this machine can also transport the material to be dried in a transverse direction, point-to-point conveying is possible. In contrast to other continuous processes, one infeed and one discharge point are therefore sufficient for SludgeManager systems.
The advantages of the THERMO-SYSTEM SolarFlow concept
SolarFlow concept | SludgeManager
Our Plus concepts are the solution of choice when heat energy is available. By introducing additional low-temperature heat, the drying capacity of the plant can be massively increased and the dependence on seasonal fluctuations significantly reduced.
Suitable heat sources for this are, for example, CHP waste heat, waste heat from industrial processes, biomass heating, heat pumps, etc. For the Plus concept, this additional heat energy can be used from as low as 30-40°C and on a fluctuating basis. Our ClimaControl control system ensures optimum energy utilization. The heat input takes place via air heating coils and/or floor heating.
In the SolarFlow process, the material to be dried is fed into the drying hall via conveying units such as pumps, spiral conveyors or direct dumping (by wheel loader, truck or push-off trailer). The sludge is discharged either via conveying units (e.g. spiral conveyors), directly into containers or manually by wheel loader. We develop and optimize the corresponding customized logistics concepts in close cooperation with our customers.
Optimized process control with the ClimaControl software enables highly efficient drying, as all system components are controlled and regulated. This approach ensures that drying conditions are constantly optimized and adjusted fully automatically.
All systems are equipped with speed-controlled circulating air and exhaust air fans. The recirculation fans on the hall ceiling ensure optimum overflow of the substrate and thus contribute to uniform drying. The exhaust fans optimize air exchange with the environment and ensure the discharge of saturated air from the drying hall.
Our patented MoviVent system, consisting of speed-controlled recirculation fans on a swiveling unit, contributes to further optimization of drying: the fans swiveling in and out remove moisture boundary layer on the sludge surface more effectively and over a wider area, thus further maximizing drying performance.
Although the ClimaControl control system minimizes emissions and odors, treatment of the exhaust air is useful and necessary under certain conditions, for example in the case of unstabilized or poorly stabilized sludge, high local requirements or immediate proximity to residential or commercial areas.
Since the optimum exhaust air treatment concept depends on the specific conditions, we use different solutions, such as biofilters or scrubbers, depending on the requirements.
