CFW offers heat pump dehumidification dryer systems. CFW is known for exceptional attention to saving energy with our drying solutions, and heat pumps are often the most efficient where only a low heat rise is required. This applies to many agricultural and food drying applications.

CFW provides many different types of industrial dryers, from rental batch dryers for smaller businesses to large, automated turnkey installations. We are able to advise you on the most cost-effective solution for any application and scale of business.

A suitably designed refrigerant heat pump compressor typically delivers three times as much heat energy or twice as much cooling power as the electrical energy it uses. When used for drying, the cooling power of the heat pump is used to condense the moisture in the air to accomplish dehumidification, while the heating is used to reheat the process air to raise the room and product temperature.

Heat pumps offer several advantages when compared with some other drying techniques:

• Drying is independent of external weather conditions.
• The system is highly efficient.
• Electricity providers, including ESKOM in South Africa, offer incentives to producers for the use of heat pumps.

Heat pump dehumidifier drying systems may be either central or local.

With local systems, one or more dehumidifiers are placed in each drying room. Heat transfer from the refrigerant to the room process air occurs by direct expansion. This is an especially energy-efficient use of heat pumps. In inspecting and maintaining these systems, it is necessary to ensure that no refrigerant is being lost from leaks in the evaporator coil or on the refrigerant circuit.

In central heat pump systems, the unit generates hot and cold water which enters a main ring. In every room, single or multiple heat exchangers provide hot water heating and chilled water cooling. There are fewer concerns with leaks in the evaporator coil with these systems, as refrigerant will not be lost. Only less serious water leaks may occur, and the heat exchangers may be replaced when convenient. This system also facilitates higher operating temperatures.

CFW offers many improvements and features over the basic heat pump dehumidifier. These increase the first costs, but provide significant savings associated with life-cycle costs.

They include:

• Stainless steel evaporators that are more resistant to corrosion, last longer and result in fewer maintenance costs.
• Refrigerant pressure sensors that monitor refrigerant suction pressure and head pressure automatically, optimising performance, protecting the operating envelope of the compressor and providing early warning of problems.
• VSD evaporator and condenser fans used for optimisation control management of the refrigerant suction and head pressures with the pressure sensors.