Smarter mineral drying with Ventilex fluid bed dryers
In mineral processing, drying is one of the biggest controllable cost factors.
Whether you’re handling sand, limestone, gypsum, or salt, you need a drying system that delivers reliability, energy efficiency, and durability.
The Ventilex Fluid Bed Dryer is purpose-built for heavy-duty, abrasive minerals and combines maximum efficiency with proven long-term performance.
The power of Ventilex technology
Our fluid bed technology suspends particles in an upward flow of hot air, allowing for highly efficient heat transfer and uniform drying.
The result? A faster, more consistent drying process with significantly reduced energy consumption.
Key advantages:
- Up to 60% less energy consumption compared to conventional dryers
- Uniform product quality through precise temperature and airflow control
- Minimal maintenance thanks to robust, wear-resistant design
- Flexible configuration for a wide range of mineral types and capacities
- Proven reliability: over 1,000 installations worldwide
Get in touch
Why fluid bed drying outperforms traditional drum or rotary dryers
In mineral processing, the choice of drying technology has a major impact on both energy costs and product consistency.
Traditional drum and rotary dryers are still widely used, but they rely on prolonged exposure to hot air and direct contact surfaces. A method that leads to high energy consumption, uneven drying, and increased wear and tear, especially with abrasive materials like sand or limestone.
The Ventilex Fluid Bed Dryer operates differently. By suspending each particle in a uniform flow of hot air, it allows for precise heat transfer and consistent moisture removal, without excessive temperature exposure or mechanical stress.
This results in a more efficient, controlled, and predictable drying process, tailored to the specific challenges of the minerals industry.
Performance comparison
| Feature | Conventional Dryer | Ventilex Fluid Bed Dryer |
| Energy efficiency | High fuel and electricity demand due to long drying cycles | Up to 60% lower energy consumption through efficient heat transfer |
| Product consistency | Varies per batch; risk of overdrying or uneven moisture | Uniform drying with precise air and temperature control |
| Maintenance needs | Frequent downtime caused by mechanical wear, dust buildup, and component erosion | Minimal maintenance due to robust, wear-resistant design and low mechanical stress |
| Drying speed | Long residence time; slower throughput | Shorter drying cycles, higher throughput capacity |
| Suitability for abrasive materials | Limited; high wear on drum surfaces | Optimized for abrasive minerals like sand, gypsum, salt, and limestone |
| Process control | Difficult to regulate heat and airflow accurately | Fully controllable system with digital sensors and airflow optimization |
| Environmental impact | High emissions and waste heat | Reduced CO₂ footprint through lower energy use and closed-loop design |
Proven performance in the minerals industry
A leading German quartz sand producer turned to Ventilex to cut rising energy costs and improve process consistency. After implementing the Ventilex Fluid Bed Dryer, the results were clear:
- 45% energy savings
- 20% higher throughput
- Stable moisture levels across batches
- Reduced maintenance intervals and unplanned downtime
We’re proud to share the successful completion of a challenging project with Wilson Salt Limited, Ireland’s largest salt products manufacturer, responsible for producing, stocking, packing, and delivering a wide range of salt products.
The project involved replacing their dryer with a new and higher-capacity model, with production constraints requiring minimal downtime.
𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗰𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻, 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘁, shared his experience working with Ventilex:
“We recently worked with Ventilex on a large-scale dryer replacement project that required removing our existing unit and installing a new model. With production demands allowing only 16 calendar days of downtime, the timeline was extremely challenging. Ventilex impressed us from start to finish with their professionalism, expertise, and seamless execution. The team worked unobtrusively, maintained excellent communication throughout, and demonstrated deep technical knowledge at every stage. Thanks to their dedication, the project was delivered on time and with minimal disruption to our operations.”
Ventilex has been delivering advanced drying solutions since 1965, with over 1,000 installations in more than 80 countries. From heavy-duty drying systems to long-term Lifecycle Service & Maintenance programs, we ensure reliable operation and continuous performance improvement for years to come.
How it works: See the Ventilex fluid bed in action
Watch how mineral particles are fluidized in a perfectly controlled airstream — resulting in even heat transfer, shorter drying cycles, and optimal product consistency.
Lifecycle Management you can rely on
Your investment doesn’t end at installation, and neither does our support. Ventilex provides comprehensive Lifecycle Service & Maintenance programs that keep your system running at peak performance for decades.
Our lifecycle services include:
- Scheduled inspections and preventive maintenance
- Fast delivery of original spare parts
- Remote monitoring and performance optimization
- Process audits to continuously improve energy efficiency
Whether your system is brand new or decades old, our engineers ensure maximum uptime and lowest total cost of ownership.
Looking to modernize your existing drying line? Ask about our retrofit and upgrade solutions for older Ventilex or third-party equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which materials can be processed with a Ventilex Fluid Bed Dryer?
- Our dryers handle a wide variety of minerals including sand, limestone, gypsum, salt, clay, and ceramic granulates.
How much energy can I save?
- Depending on your process and material type, energy savings can reach up to 60% compared to conventional drum dryers.
What about wear and maintenance?
- Ventilex systems are engineered for abrasive materials and use wear-resistant components for long-term durability and low maintenance.
Can the dryer be integrated into existing production lines?
- Yes. We design customized systems that fit seamlessly into your existing setup.
What is the average payback time?
- Most installations achieve full ROI within 2 to 4 years, thanks to lower energy use and reduced downtime.
Optimal and uniform drying results
In the Ventilex fluidized, or fluid bed, updrafts of gas or air cause a solid substance to behave like a fluid. The mechanic shaking motion of the fluid bed enhances this effect, swiftly causing high heat transfer and uniform results.
By choosing the proper combination of airspeed and mechanical motion, products with a large variation in particle size can be treated efficiently and with a minimum of dust formation.
By gently shaking the product up-and-down, an optimal and uniform drying result can be achieved at a lower temperature and with a shorter residence time. This makes fluid beds the most energy-efficient drying solutions in their league.
It’s a Ventilex!
