Combustion Efficiency in Large Scale Hemp Drying Applications

Efficient fuel combustion plays a critical role in large-scale hemp drying applications as it allows for the safe and efficient drying of the hemp plant material. The hemp material is often quite moist after it has been harvested, and it must be dried before it can be processed for various industrial and consumer applications.

One way to dry the hemp material is by using a large-scale dryer, which typically burns a fuel, such as natural gas, propane, or oil, to generate heat. The heat is then used to dry the hemp material. In order for the drying process to be efficient, the fuel must be burned in a controlled and consistent manner. This is where efficient fuel combustion comes into play.

Efficient fuel combustion ensures that the fuel is being burned in the most optimal way possible. This means that the fuel is being burned at the correct temperature, with the correct amount of oxygen, and in the correct mixture with other fuels (if applicable). This allows for the maximum amount of heat to be generated from a given amount of fuel, and thus allows for the hemp to be dried in the most efficient manner possible.

To achieve efficient fuel combustion in large scale hemp drying applications, several factors must be considered and controlled. These include:

• Fuel type and quality: The type and quality of fuel used can have a significant impact on the efficiency of combustion. Using a higher quality fuel can lead to better combustion efficiency, and thus, less fuel consumption.
• Air/Oxygen supply: Adequate air supply is essential for efficient fuel combustion. Insufficient air supply can lead to incomplete combustion, which can lead to decreased efficiency, increased emissions, and even fire hazards.
• Combustion chamber design: The design of the combustion chamber can also play a role in combustion efficiency. A well-designed chamber can help to ensure that the fuel is being burned in the most optimal way possible.
• Temperature control: Proper temperature control can also help to ensure efficient fuel combustion. Burning the fuel at too low a temperature can lead to incomplete combustion, while burning it at too high a temperature can lead to increased emissions.

Overall, efficient fuel combustion is critical in large-scale hemp drying applications as it allows for the safe, efficient, and cost-effective drying of the hemp plant material. Ensuring that all the factors involved in combustion are optimized and well-controlled is key to the efficient combustion process.

For expert advice on process heating and control systems specifically for hemp oil processing and hemp drying, contact Combustion Technology, LLC. Their experience in combustion optimization, thermal profiling, and temperature measurement is premier. They have equipment and instrumentation ready to provide the high-level performance required for the hemp processing industry, such as:

• Wide turndown burners with precise temperature control. 
• Modulating gas control valves with .1 of a degree positioning accuracy. 
• Process controllers and indicators are accurate to .25% of span.
• 508A listed electrical panels, NFPA 86 compliant
• Secure digital recording of temperature and other critical variables for contract drying.

Headquartered in the Pacific Northwest, reach them by calling 800-327-1831 or visiting their website at https://combustion-tech.net.

Process Heating and Control for Hemp Drying and Hemp Oil Processing

Hemp is experiencing a renaissance in popularity due to increased demand for CBD oil and commercial items such as paper, textiles, clothing, biodegradable plastics, paint, insulation, biofuel, food, and animal feed. By 2025, the global industrial hemp market could be worth more than $10 billion. 

Hemp was legalized as part of the 2018 Farm Bill, transforming it from a controlled substance to an agricultural commodity. Farmers whose tariff increases have impacted certain crops find hemp cultivation appealing. Consumer demand, combined with higher farm profits, is driving explosive growth. Hemp cultivation occurs for seed, fiber, or floral biomass. 

After harvest, the hemp needs to be immediately transported to a drying facility to remove the moisture content. Hemp harvesting and drying are critical steps in CBD production. Molds and mildews associated with moisture reduce the value of floral hemp biomass, so the harvest needs stabilization before mold, mildew, or decomposition can occur. 

Air drying small batches of hemp in a barn makes sense despite its inefficiency and slowness, but more modern and systematic approaches to drying are required to meet consumer demand for large batches. New industrial dryers with capacities ranging from 1000 to 4000 pounds of biomass per hour and total drying control are available to meet this skyrocketing demand. 

Batch dryers have drying chambers that typically include a dehumidifier, an aerator, and a heat source. The energy-efficient dehydration systems for drying hemp are closed systems that operate independently of ambient conditions. Combining the heat-driven dehumidification unit, a programmable controller, and airflow equipment result in consistent drying conditions inside the chamber. 

Belt dryers include a conveyor that leads into a large drying chamber. Mesh-belt hemp dryers continuously dry large quantities of biomass in a short time without requiring a large production footprint. Belt dryers enable an operator to fine-tune the hemp dryer's thermal energy to evaporate moisture without over-drying or overheating the hemp. Belt dryers use propane or natural gas as their heat source with high BTU output. Belt dryers also use electronic controls for precise biomass drying and optimize combustion efficiency. 

Rotary dryers have been the workhorse of industrial dryers for many years. They also work well for drying hemp and typically use natural gas as their heat source. The biomass goes in a heated cylinder, which rotates and tumbles the material in the presence of hot, dry air. Plates on the inside of the cylinder, or drum, move the hemp through the drum, and sophisticated electronic combustion controls regulate temperature and time for the drying process.

Legacy custom oven and furnace manufacturers are finding a new, lucrative market for hemp dryers and hemp oil processing, considering the technology and fabrication process are nearly identical to the custom furnace and kiln development. Burners, controls, and gas valves are all standard components. A critical piece for success in developing a successful hemp drying strategy is to work closely with an expert in process heating, combustion, and control systems. Their breadth of experience and engineering skills will contribute to positive outcomes.

For expert advice on process heating and control systems specifically for hemp oil processing and hemp drying, contact Combustion Technology, LLC. Their experience in combustion optimization, thermal profiling, and temperature measurement is premier. They have equipment and instrumentation ready to provide the high-level performance required for the hemp processing industry, such as:

• Wide turndown burners with precise temperature control. 
• Modulating gas control valves with .1 of a degree positioning accuracy. 
• Process controllers and indicators are accurate to .25% of span.
• 508A listed electrical panels, NFPA 86 compliant
• Secure digital recording of temperature and other critical variables for contract drying.

Headquartered in the Pacific Northwest, reach them by calling 800-327-1831 or visiting their website at https://combustion-tech.net.

Equipment Used for Large Scale Hemp Drying

INTRODUCTION
Hemp is now benefiting from a resurgence in popularity thanks to high demand for CBD oil, and commercial items including paper, textiles, clothing, biodegradable plastics, paint, insulation, biofuel, food, and animal feed. It's interesting to note that hemp oil is selling for approximately $1000 per liter.  Expectations of the global industrial hemp market is projected to balloon to over $10 billion dollars by 2025.

Legalized as part of the 2018 Farm Bill, the Bill changed hemp from a controlled substance to an agricultural commodity. Hemp cultivation is attractive to farmers who have been impacted by the increases in tariffs on certain crops.  Consumer demand, along with higher profits for farmers, are causing explosive growth.  Hemp can be grown for its seed, fiber, or floral biomass.

Harvesting and drying of hemp is critical for CBD production. The presence of molds and mildews will lower the value of hemp floral biomass, so the harvest needs to be stabilized before mold, mildew, or decomposing can occur. Once hemp is harvested, it should be moved immediately moved to the drying facility to eliminate the moisture content in the harvested hemp.

The full article describes combustion type dryers and temperature control components used for high volume hemp drying. You can find it here.

For more information about this type of equipment, contact Combustion Technology, LLC. Call them at  800-327-1831 or learn more here.