Hop drying

Hay drying and hay ventilation in the hay box

Hops must be dried in order to be storable. There are two hop-growing regions in Austria. The Austrian hop farmers produce for the regional market. The hop-growing region in Holledau is much larger and, at 1500 hectares, is the largest in the world. In Holledau, hops are produced for the world market.

Just as with hay drying, hops are dried in layers. However, with much lower bulk heights and with separate tiers. Hops are dried in a so-called hop kiln. The kiln consists of 4 tiers filled with hops. The top tier is the most humid. The lowest is the driest. As a rule, the drying air in the hop kiln is brought to 65°.

Biomass furnaces save money on the hop kiln

Landritherm hot air heaters are available in the power classes 150kW, 250kW, 750 kW and 2500kW. The hot air of the wood chip-fired stoves is produced via a specially developed high-performance air heat exchanger.

This means that the appliances produce emission-free warm air without the usual detour via water and are therefore highly efficient and reliable. Warm air heaters are becoming increasingly popular, especially for hop kilns. Experience shows that the use of biomass hot air generators in addition to the existing oil stove offers considerable savings potential.

On average, 8,000 to 10,000 liters of heating oil can be saved each year. This corresponds to a reduction in fossil CO2 emissions of around 24 to 30 tons per company. Another key to success lies in the optimal integration of a biomass hot air generator into the entire drying process.

Maximum savings potential can be achieved by optimally coordinating the drying system (oil stove, air distribution, control technology) with the additional heat supply. In view of the persistently low prices for wood chips and the uncertain price trend for heating oil, the purchase of a biomass hot air generator makes perfect economic sense. In addition, measures to reduce CO2 emissions are eligible for funding.

65° drying temperature a challenge?

The big difference to water-led biomass appliances is the fact that our appliances only produce warm air without a detour via water and are therefore highly efficient. The direct route via an air heat exchanger also enables much higher outlet temperatures. This means that 65° can be achieved.

Landritherm warm air heaters are available in a wide range of performance classes and offer great savings in heating costs compared to heating oil.

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