Stationary drying system AgroDry® for maize , wheat and rapeseed
in Germany
Dryer type: MDB-TN 1-12-SB
Dryer output capacity:
maize: 8.4 t/h from 35% to 15%
wheat: 28.0 t/h from 19% to 15%
rapeseed: 19.6 t/h from 13% to 9%
AgroDry® stationary dryer with innovative recuperation system for heat recovery at TG Reding
TG Reding eG is relying on a new drying solution from STELA to process increasing harvest volumes with minimal energy consumption. The compact system with an innovative recuperation system utilizes latent heat from the exhaust air, significantly reduces heating requirements, and thus strengthens the cooperative's competitiveness under stricter energy and CO₂ framework conditions.
Industry: Agriculture
Challenge: Expansion of drying capacities with significantly reduced energy consumption and limited construction space
Solution: AgroDry® MDB-XN 3/16-SBK with innovative recuperation system for heat recovery (AgroDry® Recu)
Products to be dried: Corn, grain, rapeseed, and soybeans
The Challenge
The drying cooperative Trocknungsgenossenschaft Reding eG faces the task of reliably processing steadily increasing harvest volumes while simultaneously significantly reducing energy consumption. Rising energy prices and increasing CO₂ pricing are increasing the economic pressure on energy-intensive processes and making highly efficient drying solutions indispensable.
In addition, the available construction space at the site was severely limited, so classic heat recovery concepts with a large footprint were out of the question. The goal was a solution that intelligently combines more capacity, maximum energy efficiency, and a compact design.
The Solution
Together with STELA, TG Reding eG developed a drying system based on the AgroDry® MDB-XN 3/16-SBK, equipped with a newly designed recuperation system. Based on the proven Biturbo system, a technology for heat recovery was integrated that makes not only sensible (perceptible) heat but also latent heat from the exhaust air usable. The cooperative is thus once again relying on STELA technology: An AgroDry® continuous dryer with Biturbo technology for up to 30 t of corn per hour was already put into operation at the site in 2021.
In the recuperation module, moisture is condensed out of the exhaust air, and the released heat is used via heat exchangers to preheat the fresh air, thereby significantly reducing the system's heating requirements. At the same time, the system ensures highly efficient cleaning of the exhaust air and reduces dust and emission loads to a minimum.
The system at TG Reding is therefore not just a customer project, but also the reference example with which STELA introduced the new development AgroDry® Recu to the public at Agritechnica 2025 – this exact system is depicted on the official STELA trade fair display for AgroDry® Recu.
The dryer: AgroDry® MDB-XN 3/16-SBK with recuperation module (AgroDry® Recu)
The AgroDry® MDB-XN 3/16-SBK used is an agricultural dryer for free-flowing bulk materials that reheats the drying air discharged from the lower area and feeds it back into the drying process. The process is ideal for gentle and at the same time economical product drying. The system uses natural gas as an energy source, but recovers a significant portion of the energy used through the newly integrated recuperation system and significantly lowers specific energy consumption compared to classic louvered-shaft dryers. The recuperation module is supplemented by an integrated scrubber system for cleaning the air-to-air heat exchangers and the exhaust air streams; the wash water is circulated in the process. This additionally reduces dust emissions and the system's fresh water requirement.
The airflow of the drying system takes place in three air streams: Air stream 1 is taken from the cooling zone and the lower drying elements, mixed with the combustion air of the lower gas surface burner, and used as drying air for the lower drying area. The exhaust air generated there (air stream 2) is mixed with the combustion air of the upper gas surface burner and serves as drying air for the upper drying area. The exhaust air from the upper drying area (air stream 3) is then cleaned in the recuperation unit; its heat energy is recovered to preheat the fresh air. This reduces the amount of exhaust air and emissions to a minimum.
Performance data
Dryer 8 in Reding is designed for the following data:
Corn from 30% to 15%: approx. 45 t/h (at a bulk density of 750 kg/m³)
Water evaporation capacity: 6,750 kg H₂O/h
Year of construction and commissioning: 2025
Energy savings through the recuperation module: Under optimal conditions, the recuperation module achieves additional energy savings of up to 25% compared to the Biturbo system. The value is calculated from known performance data of Biturbo systems; the measured values of the recuperation modules in Reding have been incorporated into this calculation.
Individual Planning
The severely limited construction space made a complete redesign of the geometry and airflow necessary: Conventional heat recovery concepts would have significantly exceeded the available space. STELA therefore developed a novel type of construction with compact external dimensions and optimized airflow that integrates the recuperation components in a space-saving manner.
The planning process was characterized by high time pressure: From the development of a viable layout to the process engineering design, structural calculation, and detailed planning, right through to manufacturing and assembly, all steps had to be closely coordinated. After only about three and a half months of project planning, (preliminary) design, and production, assembly was able to start, accompanied by ongoing detailed adjustments and precise logistics so as not to impair the cooperative's ongoing operations.
Customers voice
"We have been working successfully and trustfully with STELA for 50 years." With the new system, we are not only creating additional drying capacities, but also relying on technology that reduces energy consumption to a minimum. In doing so, we are strengthening our competitiveness and taking another step toward sustainable agricultural drying.”
Georg Grill, Managing Director Board of Directors, Trocknungsgenossenschaft Reding eG
Conclusion and Outlook
With the new AgroDry dryer, including the recuperation system, TG Reding eG has expanded its drying capacities while simultaneously significantly reducing energy consumption per ton of drying capacity. The system strengthens the cooperative's market position and helps to operate energy-intensive processes economically under the current framework of CO₂ pricing and rising energy costs. Specifically, Dryer 8 is designed for 45 t of corn per hour from 30% to 15% moisture with a water evaporation capacity of 6,750 kg H₂O/h; under optimal conditions, the recuperation module contributes an additional energy saving of up to 25% compared to the Biturbo system.
For the future, the system offers a technological foundation upon which further optimizations and expansions can be built – from fine-tuning process parameters to potential capacity increases. The long-standing partnership between STELA and TG Reding eG is a guarantee that future challenges will also be met with innovative and efficient solutions.
Find out more about the stationary AgroDry® agricultural dryer
More Information
About the Drying Cooperative Reding
TG Reding is a cooperative that cleans, dries, and stores agricultural products such as corn, grain, rapeseed, and soybeans for its members.
To this end, it operates a large drying and silo facility in Reding near Neuhaus am Inn, which is heavily utilized, especially during harvest time.
The facility is of great importance to the region, as large quantities of harvested crops are collected, processed, and safely stored there.
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Our references
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in Romania
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Stationary drying system AgroDry® for maize
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Dryer output capacity:
maize: 10.0 t/h from 25% to 15%
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Dryer type: MDB-TN 1-4-S
Dryer output capacity:
maize: 3.4 t/h from 35% to 15%
wheat: 11.0 t/h from 19% to 15%
rapeseed: 8.8 t/h from 13% to 9%
Stationary drying system AgroDry® for maize
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Dryer output capacity:
maize: 15.7 t/h from 25% to 15%
Stationary drying system AgroDry® for wheat
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Dryer output capacity:
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Stationary drying system AgroDry® for maize , wheat and rapeseed
in Romania
Dryer type: MDB-TN 1-8-SU
Dryer output capacity:
maize: 6.8 t/h from 35% to 15%
wheat: 22.0 t/h from 19% to 15%
rapeseed: 17.6 t/h from 13% to 9%
Stationary drying system AgroDry® for maize , wheat and rapeseed
in Romania
Dryer type: MDB-TN 1-8-SU
Dryer output capacity:
maize: 10.0 t/h from 25% to 15%
wheat: 22.0 t/h from 19% to 15%
rapeseed: 17.6 t/h from 13% to 9%
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
