Recovering Drying Heat in Food and Agricultural Processing with Cross-Flow Exchangers

Drying is energy-intensive: a large portion of the heat supplied to a dryer leaves as warm, moisture-laden exhaust. In food and agricultural processing - whether beef jerky, grains, herbs or starch - that exhaust still carries recoverable sensible heat. A cross-flow air-to-air heat exchanger placed in the exhaust duct reclaims that heat and pre-heats the incoming process air.

How the recovery loop works

The warm, humid dryer exhaust passes on one side of the plate pack while fresh make-up air passes on the other. Heat moves through the plate by conduction, raising the inlet air temperature before the burner or heater sees it. Because the streams are physically separated, there is no risk of product contamination or flavour carryover.

Measured upside

• 20%-40% energy saving on the heating side, depending on exhaust temperature and airflow balance.
• Smaller burner / heater: pre-heated inlet air reduces peak thermal demand.
• Food-safe hygiene: smooth plates are easy to clean and can be specified in stainless or coated aluminium.

Selection notes

For sticky or particulate-laden exhaust, choose a plate spacing and coating that survives wash-down, and plan for periodic cleaning access. Cross-flow geometry is forgiving here because each channel is straight and inspectable.

We help processors size cross-flow recovery cores to their dryer inlet/outlet conditions. Reach our team with your temperature and airflow data for a payback estimate.