New industrial citrus drying system powered by biomass energy

In citrus postharvest processing, drying the protective coating is a fundamental stage before subsequent handling and commercialization. To meet this challenge, the company MET MANN has incorporated a hot air generation system fueled by wood pellets in an industrial facility located in Uruguay.  

Controlled drying to guarantee fruit quality

During treatment in fresh produce facilities, ensuring the exact temperature, proper ventilation, and process continuity is of vital importance. The main challenge of this project was to achieve a constant heat supply and an optimal airflow that promotes the uniform and continuous drying of oranges directly on the production line.  

This thermal solution, featuring proprietary European technology and manufacturing, is specifically designed to supply the necessary energy to this critical phase. The system integrates fully automatically into processing lines, adapting precisely to the different needs and production speeds currently demanded by the food and agriculture industry.   

How the hot air generator works

The effectiveness of this installation is based on its advanced engineering. The hot air generator features a high-performance combustion chamber that operates with automatic pellet feeding. Through the use of a powerful heat exchanger, the heat produced is transferred to the drying process air without ever mixing it with the combustion gases.  

Subsequently, a ventilation system drives this completely clean, controlled, and thermally adapted airflow toward the drying zone. This mechanism promotes the rapid and safe removal of moisture from the protective varnish applied to the fruit, ensuring a perfect finish.   

Pellets: the energy alternative to fossil fuels

The use of wood pellets allows for the utilization of a one hundred percent renewable energy source for industrial applications requiring an uninterrupted heat supply. This technological leap offers packinghouses the possibility to drastically reduce their dependence on conventional fossil fuels.  

Furthermore, by featuring fully automatic feeding and combustion systems, this type of installation demonstrates the enormous possibilities of harnessing biomass energy to serve real industrial processes. With over 50 years of experience in designing and manufacturing climate control equipment, the developer of this technology proves that sustainability and high industrial performance can advance hand in hand.

Source: MET MANN