Drum Flakers
Drum Flakers are commonly used in flaking, drying or cooling materials. This change of state is achieved by applying a film of the material to be flaked to the outer surface of a horizontal rotating drum which is cooled internally by means of water, brine, glycol or any other suitable coolant. As the drum rotates, the liquid film solidifies and is subsequently removed from the drum surface by a doctor blade or knife.
The liquid film may be applied to the flaking drum in many different ways, depending upon the physical properties of the material being processed.
Feed Systems
Typical feed systems are:
- Dip Tray, where the flaking drum is mounted in a tray of molten product
- Applicator Roll, where the liquid film is applied to the surface of the flaking drum by means of an auxiliary roll
- Top Feed, where the molten product is poured into a feed box mounted over the flaking drum.
Common Types
Drum Flakers are available in single and double drum models.
Single drum
Single drum units may be dip or splash fed, or equipped with applicator rolls. The latter is particularly effective for drying high viscosity liquids or pasty materials such as mashed potatoes, applesauce, fruit-starch mixtures, gelatin, dextrine-type adhesives, polyacrylamide, synthetic resins, and various starches.
Double drum
Double drum flakers are the most versatile and widely applied. These dryers are used to dry many food, chemical, and pharmaceutical materials of widely varying densities and viscosities: dilute solutions, heavy liquids, pasty materials, or fairly heavy sludges. The movable drum permits complete control of product film thickness. Feed may be by perforated tube trough, pendulum, or special engineered devices.
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