Aggregates are used for skeleton and filling in concrete and mortar, including fine aggregates with a diameter of 0.16-5mm and coarse aggregates with a diameter bigger than 5mm. The sand, gravel, and crushed stone commonly found in our daily lives can all be used as aggregates. Drying can remove water from the aggregates, improve stability, and facilitate subsequent processing. For example, in the concrete production process, the drying process can ensure the accuracy of the concrete mix ratio and avoid the impact of unstable moisture content on the quality of the concrete. How long does it take to dry aggregates using an aggregate rotary dryer? What factors will affect drying time?

  1. Aggregate particle size

  Coarse aggregate has a small specific surface area and evaporation area. If the drying time is too short, it may result in external moisture reaching the standard but the interior is still wet, so it takes a longer time to dry. And fine aggregates have a larger evaporation area, making it easier for moisture to evaporate. Generally speaking, the drying time for coarse aggregates ranges from a few hours to a day, while the drying time for fine aggregates is within a few hours.

  2. Aggregate moisture

  Compared with aggregates with high moisture content, raw materials with low moisture content have a shorter drying time because less water needs to be evaporated.

  3. Drying Process

  Different types of aggregate dryer have different drying technologies, with big differences in drying time. For example, the aggregate rotary dryer adopts an advanced three-pass structure and fully automatic control system, the drying efficiency will be improved and the drying time will be shorter.

  Precautions

  1. Select the appropriate drying equipment

  Drying equipment capable of uniform heating and temperature control should be selected to ensure even heat distribution of aggregates during the drying process, avoiding localized overheating or insufficient temperature.

  2. Control the drying time

  Drying for too long or too short is not good. Because too short a drying time cannot evaporate enough moisture, it cannot achieve the required moisture content; However, prolonged drying time may damage the performance of the aggregate. Therefore, the appropriate drying time should be determined based on the actual situation.

  In summary, the drying time of aggregates is a relatively flexible parameter influenced by various factors. During actual production, it is necessary to make reasonable adjustments and controls based on specific requirements and conditions to ensure the quality of aggregates and drying efficiency.