Sunken agricultural dryer as an individual drying solution

Murr Dienstleistungs GbR, Germany

Sector: Agricultural industry
Challenge: The new drying system was to be seamlessly integrated into the existing infrastructure of a production facility and replace an existing system from the 1980s. 
Solution: To make optimum use of the limited space within the production facility, the drying system selected for this task was partially sunk into the floor. This adaptation required special conveyor technology. A discharge screw coupled directly to the discharge hopper of the dryer was therefore integrated.
Dryer used: Stationary drying system AgroDry® MDB-TN 1/7-S
Product to be dried: Maize, grain
 

Challenge

Modernization and space optimization: Murr Dienstleistungs GbR upgrades to a custom STELA drying system

Our customer Murr Dienstleistungs GbR wanted to replace its existing dryer from the 1980s with a modern and more efficient drying system. In the process, the new dryer mainly had to meet the latest technical requirements, as well as be seamlessly integrated into the existing infrastructure. At its site in Feldkirchen near Straubing, the customer primarily uses maize and grain as drying material, without any special climatic requirements. An additional challenge was the installation of the dryer in the production facility, which required a particularly creative solution due to limited space.

Sinking the dryer involved additional technical requirements. In particular, a special discharge screw had to be integrated. This discharge screw would be coupled directly to the discharge hopper of the dryer. As no additional space was available for further conveyor technology, this solution was crucial for the successful installation of the drying system. The limited space in regard to the width and height of the hall and the positioning of other technical elements, such as the conveyor technology and the heating system, also required precise planning.

Due to the specific conditions, the AgroDry® MDB-TN 1/7-S continuous dryer from STELA was chosen. The energy for the dryer is supplied by an on-site biomass heating system that uses wood chips as fuel. To further increase energy efficiency, a hot water heat exchanger was also installed as a pre-heater. In this way, energy requirements were optimised and operating costs reduced.

 

The system was planned in close consultation with our customer. Several on-site visits and intensive discussions helped to fine-tune the precise coordination of the technical details and take all local conditions into account. The detailed measurement and precise planning of the system were crucial so that possible clashes with existing infrastructure elements could be avoided.

Solution

As the customer had already had positive experiences with a STELA dryer, a decision was once again made in favour of a STELA system. To make optimum use of the limited space within the production facility, the dryer was partially sunk into the floor. The foundation was accordingly dug out in order to install the drying system in a specially constructed pit. As a result, it was possible to realise the required height despite limited space.

Manufacturing and assembly

The production and assembly of the system went smoothly. An important milestone was the millimetre-precise positioning of the dryer in the prepared pit, made possible by the close co-ordination of all the teams involved. The installation of the dryer components up to the roof of the production facility was another technical challenge that was successfully mastered. The preparation carried out by customer was also crucial to the smooth running of the installation work.

Conclusion and outlook

The fully assembled drying system stands out thanks to its perfect integration into the customer's existing hall. It can dry maize with an initial moisture content of 35% to an initial moisture of 15% at a throughput rate of approximately 3 tonnes per hour. Due to precise planning and adaptation to the limited space, all of the customer's requirements could be optimally met.

Mr Lukas Murr, a farmer and operator of the drying plant, summarised the project as follows:

‘The construction of the maize drying plant in our existing building presented significant challenges in regard to positioning and the necessary structural adjustments. STELA played a leading role in the implementation of the project by offering tailor-made solutions through its expertise in planning and implementation. Their experience allowed us to efficiently integrate the entire system with drying, heating and grain storage.’

Work with our customer continues even after the system has been commissioned. Scheduled service calls and regular personnel training guarantee that the system can be operated efficiently in the long term. The successful use of the new dryer shows that tailor-made solutions from STELA can achieve optimum results even in difficult spatial and technical conditions.

Downloads

Find out more about the AgroDry® stationary agricultural dryer:

Nehmen Sie Kontakt auf

stela sales team

Contact person

Low temperature, continuous dryer, circulating dryer – not sure what’s the best choice for you? Our experienced colleagues will be happy to help you find the best solution for your product. Please feel free to contact us without obligation.

Telephone +49 8724 899-10
Email sales[at]stela.de

See all contact persons