About the future of China's domestic drying equipment
When it comes to market issues, three experts agreed that the application of drying technology in China is not limited to just the chemical industry—it spans across various sectors. The scope is vast, and with continuous technological advancements, the potential for growth in this field is immense. Professor Cao Chongwen highlighted that agricultural products serve as a good example. Japan has roughly 1.5 to 1.7 million units of drying equipment for agriculture, while China only has about 20,000. This gap reflects both the low level of mechanization in China’s agriculture and a lag in consumption habits. Proper drying directly affects crop quality—issues like rice cracking or bursting are often due to improper drying methods rather than harvesting. Different drying techniques can also influence taste and nutritional value. As China moves toward a more developed society, it's expected that consumer preferences will evolve significantly.
Professor Pan Yongkang emphasized that current research on drying focuses not just on external heat transfer but also on internal material behavior during the process. With so many materials being dried, their characteristics change during dehydration, making the process complex. Despite global efforts, challenges remain, and most drying conditions are still determined by trial and experience. However, there are many researchers and institutions in China working on drying technologies, including universities and companies. Some areas like grain drying and biological material drying have reached international standards. While many Chinese manufacturers lack strong R&D capabilities, some innovative projects have emerged, such as self-cleaning rotary cylinders and large-scale spray dryers. Unfortunately, much of this knowledge remains confidential, limiting academic exchange.
According to Mujumdar, the former Soviet Union once had over 200 top-level drying experts and was a global leader before the 1980s. However, due to national circumstances and language barriers, they became less visible internationally. Their past contributions should serve as a reminder of the importance of open collaboration.
For China to catch up with advanced countries, close collaboration between academia and industry is essential. Zhou Caijun, a renowned expert in spray drying equipment, shared his insights. He pointed out that domestic manufacturers face not only technical challenges but also the need to upgrade their strategies and gain competitive advantages. His company has partnered with institutions like Dalian University of Technology and the China Academy of Forestry, helping to reduce reliance on imported equipment and entering the global market.
Shi Yongchun from Shandong Tianli Company noted that while China has made progress, there is still a gap in basic research compared to the world’s best. To bridge this, the company has published numerous papers, translated key texts, and engaged in international collaborations with institutions in Canada, Belarus, and Poland. Their joint development of spray fluidized bed granulation technology has even been recognized at the government level.
Moving forward, China must transition from being a major drying country to a strong one. Strengthening basic research, improving automation, testing, and design is crucial. In terms of application, fostering international cooperation and protecting intellectual property is necessary. At the same time, innovation in traditional processes and new applications should be prioritized. For manufacturers, continuous improvement in management and technology, product upgrades, and alignment with environmental and efficiency standards are vital for long-term success.
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