Hot air is great for a balloon pilot, but can harm temperature-sensitive dry bulk commodities in the conveying process…

What is the Purpose of the Cooler?

The Bulk Transportation Services “Dry-Cool” air-to-air cooler (US Patent No. 5,580,193) was developed and designed for pneumatic dry bulk tank trailers in the transport of heat-sensitive products such as sugar, plastic pellets and resins, or the like. In the pneumatic unloading process, compressed air is the conveying medium. The compression of air heats the air, which in turn heats the product. Increased temperature is directly related to increased pressure. The higher the pressure, the greater the temperature - temperatures up to 350 deg. Fahrenheit in a typical operation.

How Does Hot Air Contaminate Dry Bulk Shipments?

As the pressure of the pneumatically conveying air rises, the product is heated causing plastic pellets to melt and sugar to caramelize. The composition of the pellets sticks together or breaks down into “angel hair”, rendering them useless. Plastics, sugar and other heat sensitive products melt and coat the tank hoppers, outlets and the discharge line, requiring lengthy and expensive clean up procedures.

How Does the Cooler Eliminate Contamination?

Our solution: The BTS Dry-Cool system cools discharge air to ambient temperature before the air enters the tank. This cooler’s heat exchanger is rated at 1100 ACFM and is equipped with two electric fans. It is constructed of aluminum and the fans are powered by the tractor’s electrical system. With the cooler installed in the air supply line between the blower and the hopper tank, the conveying air is routed through the heat exchanger and cooled by the fans. An automatic pressure sensor switch controls the fans, eliminating possible operator failure to activate the fans.

Summary of Features:

The advantages of the BTS Dry-Cool system are:

• -It provides cooled air to the dry bulk material.
• -It is automatic - no special procedure is required.
• -It is practically maintenance free.
• -It requires no external water, air, or electric source.
• -It is compact, light, inexpensive, and does not affect the size of the trailer.

Ordering a Air-to-air Cooler:

This air-to-air cooler is available as a universal kit to be installed to any pneumatic dry bulk tank - regardless of manufacturer. This kit includes the heat exchanger, electric fans, insulating bushings, fan switch, and thermometers. Please contact Bulk Transportation Services for information on our cooler kits by calling our contact number. Pneumatic Tank Trailers are our specialty!