Project solution for water reducing agent drying technology

1. Drying Overview:

The development of water reducers has a long history, from the early lignin sulfonates to the common β-naphthalenesulfonic acid formaldehyde condensate sodium salt (SNF) and sulfonated melamine formaldehyde condensate sodium salt (SMF) high-efficiency water reducers on the market. Now, a new generation of high-efficiency polycarboxylic acid polymer water reducers has been developed at home and abroad. It has the characteristics of low admixture, high water reduction, high reinforcement, low alkali, low shrinkage, high collapse retention, green and environmental protection, and is increasingly favored by the market. However, due to the characteristics of the process route, polycarboxylic acid water reducers have obvious disadvantages, that is, they are all supplied in 22% aqueous solution on the market, and the long-distance transportation cost is very high, and they cannot be supplied to fields such as dry mortar that require powder.

There are two reasons: First, due to the polymerization process of polycarboxylic acid water reducer, it has a high water content, generally between 45% and 78%. It requires high energy consumption to make it into powder, and the expensive processing cost brings great difficulties to its deep processing; second, due to the relatively small molecular weight of polycarboxylic acid water reducer, the softening point of the powder after drying is low. When the processing temperature is higher than the softening point for a long time, the reactive groups of the water reducer may undergo side reactions such as imidization, resulting in yellowing of the product appearance and reduced dispersibility in concrete.

Continuing on from our discussion of the challenges faced by polycarboxylic acid water reducers, it is clear that there is a need for innovation in the production and transportation of these highly efficient additives. As the demand for environmentally friendly and high-performance water reducers grows, it is crucial for manufacturers to find solutions to the limitations of current production methods. One potential avenue for improvement is the development of advanced dehydration technologies that can efficiently reduce the water content of polycarboxylic acid water reducers, making it feasible to produce them in powder form. This would not only reduce transportation costs but also open up new application opportunities in fields such as dry mortar production. Furthermore, research and development efforts should also focus on optimizing the polymerization process to minimize water content and energy consumption. By addressing these challenges, manufacturers can unlock the full potential of polycarboxylic acid water reducers and meet the diverse needs of the market. In conclusion, while the current generation of polycarboxylic acid water reducers offers exceptional performance benefits, the industry must continue to invest in innovation to overcome their limitations and ensure their widespread accessibility and usability. By doing so, we can drive forward the development of sustainable and high-performance construction materials, benefiting both the industry and the environment.

2. Drying principle:

The high-temperature hot air generated by the hot air furnace in the water reducer dryer enters from the volute channel at the top of the drying chamber. Under the action of the hot air distributor, a uniform rotating airflow is generated to quickly enter the drying chamber and keep the air distribution in the tower uniform. Liquid materials such as water reducers pass through a high-speed rotating atomizer to produce dispersed fine material mist. The material mist contacts the swirling hot air, and the water evaporates quickly. The material is dried in a very short time to obtain a hollow, thin-walled spherical product that can dissolve quickly in water.

In recent years, our company has accumulated rich experience in the drying process of water reducers (naphthalene series, anthracene series, lignin, etc.), and has developed a number of technologically advanced equipment based on the characteristics of water reducers. 

Aiming at the shortcomings of water reducer drying technology in the current market, based on in-depth research on product characteristics and combined with the transformation of our centrifugal spray dryer for heat-sensitive materials in other fields, we finally developed a special spray dryer for water reducers, which completely solved the processing difficulties of polycarboxylic acid water reducers. The processed powder is white and has good powder fluidity. It fully guarantees that the powder water reducer has a good dispersion effect and slump retention ability on cement.

3. Drying plan:

Our centrifugal spray dryer solves the problems of water reducer drying: 1. Material sticking to the wall; 2. Color turning yellow; 3. Air sweeping failure; 4. Finished material rehumidification.