Nerada Tea Estates
Minimising energy use in industrial driers
QSEIF funding: $119,000
Project dates: 2002
Project details
Nerada Tea Estates modified their industrial tea driers to reduce their fan power and steam consumption. This was demonstrated at a drier installation operated at the Glen Allyn Tea Estate in Malanda, North Queensland.
The technology
The Nerada factory uses a series of “fluidised bed driers” to dry their tea. These essentially suspend the tea leaves in an updraft of hot air which is created by blowing air past steam-heated coils. This was an energy intensive process.
Working with food processing technicians Foodstream Pty Ltd, Nerada designed a perforated deckplate with the holes spaced more closely together to reduce the back pressure. They also redesigned their air duct to included a row of vanes which created an even flow of air.
Nerada also included a flash steam recovery system which extracts 12% of the heat energy from the steam, reducing the amount of coal fuel that needs to be burned in the boiler.
This new drier has demonstrated a 60% saving fan power, which is enhanced by using variable speed drives to reduce airflow. The flash steam recovery system has reduced the consumption of steam by 10%.
Project update
Since the tea drier was installed, Nerada have made a number of small and modifications to the plant, such as a more advanced user interface, to improve its efficiency and usability. These modifications are ongoing.
Please consult the fact sheet (PDF, 279K)* for information regarding this project.
* Requires Adobe Reader
Last reviewed 27 March 2012
Last updated 5 April 2011