A second life for a belt dryer: a new location instead of retirement
When a drying system is no longer needed at its current site, its working life does not have to end. Selling the system and carefully preparing its relocation can allow it to be used elsewhere. A recent Hans Binder engineering project in Iceland shows how this process begins – and which questions operators should address before moving a drying system.
Extending the working life of existing technology
Sustainability in plant engineering also means extending the service life of existing equipment. A drying system represents an investment in materials, manufacturing and technical expertise. Reusing it preserves these resources for another period of operation.
Technical suitability is essential: an existing system must meet the requirements at its new location. Relocation provides an opportunity to assess these requirements and plan any necessary modifications early on.
In Iceland, one of our customers has sold its five-belt dryer to a new operator. The system will move to another site on the island, where it is intended to return to operation. Two Hans Binder engineering service technicians professionally dismantled the dryer and prepared it for transport from mid to late September 2026.
What to consider before relocating a drying system
Relocating a drying system starts with planning its future use. Before the first components are dismantled, operators should compare the requirements at the new site with the capabilities of the existing equipment.
Is the system suitable for the intended process?
The material to be dried, the required capacity and the desired drying result are key considerations. If the system will be used for a different application, its technical suitability and any necessary modifications must be assessed.
Does the new site meet the requirements?
In addition to the installation footprint, important factors include ceiling height, access for assembly and maintenance, and transport routes. Energy supply, supply and exhaust air routing, and integration with upstream and downstream production processes must also be considered.
Which tasks and costs need to be taken into account?
Relocation involves more than dismantling and transport. Packaging, reassembly, potential modifications and subsequent commissioning must also be included. Only an assessment of the complete project can establish whether reuse is technically and economically viable.
Reassembly begins with dismantling
Careful dismantling lays the groundwork for subsequent assembly. The aim is to take the components apart professionally while keeping their original arrangement and connections traceable.
For the project in Iceland, our service technicians numbered every component and prepared the parts for reassembly. They then made the components ready for transport.
Labelling is particularly important because the relationship between individual parts is not always immediately apparent once a system has been dismantled. Clear identification helps ensure that the components can be correctly reassembled at the new site.
Three points are therefore essential when planning a relocation:
- Documentation: The existing arrangement and relevant connections should be documented clearly before and during dismantling.
- Labelling: Dismantled components must remain clearly identifiable.
- Transport preparation: Packaging and handling should be appropriate for the individual components.
Planning transport and assembly together
Dismantling, transport and reassembly are closely connected. The companies involved should therefore establish responsibilities early and clarify which requirements must be met for the next project phase.
These include the dimensions and weights of the transport units, suitable lifting and transport equipment, and access at the new site. Any temporary storage should also be taken into account.
Before the system returns to use, its condition, correct assembly and the necessary inspections must be addressed. Successful dismantling is therefore an important milestone on the way to its next period of operation.
Iceland project: prepared for a second life
The photographs from Iceland show the progress of dismantling: first the fully assembled five-belt dryer, then the dismantled assemblies, and finally the largely cleared installation area.
Two Hans Binder engineering service technicians carried out the following work on site:
- Professional dismantling of the five-belt dryer
- Numbering of every component
- Preparation of the components for reassembly
- Preparation and packaging for transport
The next steps are transport and reassembly at the new site. Bringing the dryer back into operation is the goal of the following project phase.
We thank both customers for their cooperation and look forward to seeing the system operating in Iceland again.
When reuse makes sense from a sustainability perspective
A second life can extend a system’s service life and preserve existing components. Whether reuse is a suitable solution depends on the individual project.
Alongside the condition of the equipment, operators should consider the work involved in relocation, any necessary modifications and future operation. An existing system offers a viable way forward when it suits the new application and can remain in use over the long term.
The Iceland project demonstrates a practical approach: proven drying technology is carefully dismantled and prepared for further use.
What future does your drying system have?
Are you planning a relocation, sale or modernisation? Talk to us about your existing system early in the process. Together, we can clarify the steps required for your project and how Hans Binder engineering can support you.
