Used ribbon and paddle dryers for sale: efficient mixing and drying for powders and pastes

For efficient drying of slurries, pastes, and fine powders, ribbon and paddle dryers offer robust performance and gentle handling across a wide range of industrial processes. With over 47 years of process equipment expertise, IPP provides immediate access to used ribbon and paddle dryers sourced from 20 complete plant sites and included in our inventory of over 15,000 ready-to-ship pieces of equipment. Choosing a used ribbon or paddle dryer from IPP allows manufacturers to cut costs, avoid long lead times, and maintain reliable process control.

Ribbon and paddle dryers are horizontal dryers that use internal agitators—either ribbon-shaped or paddle-type—to move and mix the material while applying heat. This design enables uniform drying and heat transfer, making them ideal for materials that require careful processing without degradation.

Ribbon Dryers and Paddle Dryers are both types of industrial drying equipment, often used in chemical, pharmaceutical, and food processing industries. Each serves to remove moisture from solids by introducing heat through a mechanical agitation process. Here is how they work, their common applications, and materials of construction, along with some major manufacturers for each type. IPP stocks dozens of used ribbon and paddle dryers available for immediate delivery.

Ribbon Dryers

• Function: Ribbon dryers, are ribbon blenders equipped with a heating jacket. They use a ribbon agitator consisting of inner and outer helical ribbons that move materials in opposite directions. Heat is supplied either by a hot air stream or through a jacketed trough where heating media such as thermal oil, steam, or glycol typically circulate.
• Applications: They are used for drying fine chemicals, powders, or granules that need gentle motion to prevent degradation. Common in the food industry for spices, flavors, and additives, and in the pharmaceutical industry for drying bulk drug substance.
• Materials of Construction: Typically made from stainless steel for corrosion resistance and cleanliness. For more abrasive or reactive materials, manufacturers might use specialized coatings or more robust alloys like Hastelloy.
• Manufacturers: Some of the well-known manufacturers include Ross, Vrieco-Nauta (Hosokawa Micron), and Pfaudler.

Paddle Dryers

• Function: Paddle dryers use a shaft with mounted paddles and provide a more intense mechanical agitation compared to ribbon dryers. They operate under vacuum or pressure, providing heat through a jacketed casing. The design allows for high heat transfer rates and is efficient for sludge and paste-like materials. There are specialty paddle dryers such as the Porcupine (R) Processor dryer, which has a heated agitation shaft, heated paddles, and heated trough for high thermal efficiency to decrease residence time.
• Applications: Widely used for drying sludges, pastes, and viscous slurries, making them ideal for environmental, chemical, and agrochemical applications. Also used in the pharmaceutical and food sectors for temperature-sensitive or sticky products.
• Materials of Construction: Like ribbon dryers, paddle dryers are commonly made from stainless steel. For handling highly corrosive materials or to prevent contamination, they might also be constructed from duplex steels or coated with specialized materials.
• Manufacturers: Key manufacturers include ANDRITZ, Komline-Sanderson, Bepex, and Gale Process Solutions (GPS) which manufactures the Porcupine (R) Processor paddle dryer.

Both types of dryers are crucial in industries where precise moisture content is critical for product quality and where heat sensitivity of materials requires careful handling. The choice between a ribbon and paddle dryer often depends on the specific drying needs of the material, including its consistency and how it reacts to heat and mechanical stress.

If you are looking for a used Ribbon or Paddle Dryer, search our inventory or contact International Process Plants for more information.