Fluidised drying system and method for drying byproducts from industrial processes

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fluidised drying system for drying biomass and to a biomass drying method, wherein the biomass is obtained as a byproduct of other primary industrial processes, with the aim of using the materials as, for example, an energy source, starting materials for obtaining other types of products and nutritional sources for animals. Specifically, the fluidised drying system of the invention essentially comprises a drying module formed by a series of ascending single-vortex conical columns and descending single-vortex conical or cyclonic columns capable of removing moisture from the biomass by means of a helical flow generated by a current of warm air. In addition, the biomass drying method of the invention allows the column lengths to be reduced by increasing the residence times by five and nine times with respect to a linear ascending-descending system, owing to the helical path of the particles, thereby reducing moisture in different types of biomass from 30-80% w / w to 6-13% w / w.

Description

[0001] Fluidized drying system and drying process for by-products of industrial processes

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention is in the technical field of industrial processes, specifically aimed at the treatment of by-products from primary industrial processes, in order to take advantage of said materials and improve the productivity of said processes.

[0004] TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0005] The industry surrounding the extraction and production of products from organic raw materials is constantly growing. Developments in this industry focus on process optimization, thereby reducing production times, costs, and waste generated, and even achieving additional benefits for the desired final product.

[0006] Addressing this latter approach, the study and treatment of waste or by-products generated from industrial processes of conventional organic raw materials has become very important, so that they can be used within the same industrial processes, thereby improving process yields, or treated to generate other materials and products that can be marketed for various purposes, increasing the profits associated with the main industrial process.

[0007] These products can be used for various purposes, such as energy sources, starting materials for producing other types of products, nutritional sources for animals, etc. To this end, one approach that has been taken is treatment through physical processes, such as physical separations, drying, among others, to keep production costs within an acceptable range that does not excessively raise the costs of the overall process. They are also desirable for their versatility in establishing conditions that allow the preservation of specific properties of these products.

[0008] In connection with the above, the prior art describes various equipment for processing organic raw materials and by-products obtained from industrial processes, focusing on drying. Such is the case of the aerodynamic dryer of document RU2577670C2, which comprises a conveyor for feeding the raw material to be dried, which connects to a crusher, a heat source, a high-pressure fan for hot air, a cylindrical cover with a cone, an air dryer, two outlet cyclones, suction tubes, and hammer mills. This device allows obtaining a dry material by crushing it and subsequently drying it with hot air. It also has a cooling air flow to regulate temperature and pressure, using a fluidized bed system in a turbulent flow, in order to maximize the surface area of ​​the raw material and optimize its drying.

[0009] Likewise, patent US5791066A discloses a cyclonic dryer comprising an upper cylinder, a lower cylinder, and a cone-shaped chamber defining a cavity, which is adapted to receive high-speed air currents through a tangential orifice in the device, whereby the wet material is fed to the device through an inlet assembly at the bottom of the device. This device is designed to dry large volumes of sticky and pasty material, as it reduces the amount of material that remains adhered to the walls of the device, increasing the efficiency of the drying process.

[0010] For its part, document MD1054Y teaches a dryer used to treat agricultural waste obtained from plants, such as branches, in order to produce a dispersible solid material, which comprises a cone-shaped body with an inlet to feed the mixture of loose material and drying agent and an outlet to discharge the dried material. Likewise, it discloses a drying process that implements said dryer, where a tangential feed of the mixture of loose material and drying agent is carried out, creating a vortex flow inside the dryer body, where, in addition, the loose material is heated by means of mass exchange and heat by convection with the drying agent, contributing to the reduction of its humidity.

[0011] Also in the state of the art is Colombian patent application NC2017 / 0007983, which presents equipment and devices for drying systems for a wide variety of products, including foods, specifically a fluidized bed dryer with an automatic humidity control system comprising an air diffuser cone, a degradation system that prevents material agglomeration, where its design allows the generation of vortices creating ascending and descending flows that favor drying. Thus, this fluid bed dryer, which has a conical shape, uses hot air currents to dry the product, where the heating temperature is considered to prevent the degradation of the material and the loss of its properties.

[0012] In addition to the above, the state of the art has also evaluated different biomass drying systems that involve several unit operations, correlated with independent devices, which allow for greater versatility in adjustments to the drying processes.

[0013] Such is the case of application W02005019749, which shows a drying chamber for drying a liquid or sludge comprising biomass, where a pulse combustion chamber dynamically coupled by fluid to the drying chamber is used, where the combustion gas produced flows through the drying chamber, creating a pulsating current to dry the biomass, and where the dried biomass is directed to the combustion chamber. It also teaches the use of one or two cyclones, where the use of the second cyclone is conditioned by the percentage of humidity of the starting biomass.

[0014] Likewise, application WO2013122486 refers to a cyclone dryer for biomass from plants, which has a fan, an air heater, a biomass feeder, and three cyclones connected in series by outlet pipes with an extractor that expels air into the atmosphere. The biomass enters the cyclones, and the air is blown at a temperature between 150°C and 250°C by the fans and heaters located at the bottom of the cyclones, and the air from the fluidized bed that will dry the biomass passes to a cyclone that will then release it into the atmosphere.

[0015] Furthermore, application WO2018157945 presents an apparatus and method for continuously drying volumes of material, particularly wood fibers or chips, in which combustion gases are used to heat a steam mixture that will pass through the drying system to dry the material of interest. The combustion chamber is connected to a hot gas cyclone that allows the removal of solid particles from the material.

[0016] Also part of the state of the art is application WO1997047933, which discloses a peaked fluid bed drying system and process composed of a peaked fluid bed dryer having a conical shaped lower section provided with a heat exchange particle packing, a cyclone separator connected to the top of the dryer with separated particles collected by a receiver connected to the cyclone leg, a steam fan, an incineration and combustion chamber, a mixing chamber that mixes the high temperature stream from the combustion chamber with the low temperature steam coming from the fan to produce a drying stream at approximately 400°C, which will dry a residual sludge.

[0017] For its part, patent US9759483B1 describes a fluid product dryer and related methods, comprising introducing particles through an inlet into a first fluid bed section, migrating the particles to a bed deck, injecting a gas towards the particles through openings in the bed deck, migrating some of the particles through a variable size door that opens between the bed deck and a riser, migrating a portion of the particles to the riser, driving the portion of the particles in the riser upward by injecting a gas into the riser, directing a first fraction of the portion of the particles out of the first fluid bed section towards a second fluid bed section through an outlet using a baffle feature, and directing a second fraction of the portion of the particles onto a bed deck of the second fluid bed section.

[0018] There is also application WO2011132481 , which discloses a grain drying plant having a biomass-fired kiln and a circulation-type grain dryer. The combustion kiln generates hot air used in drying, while the grain dryer is provided with a grain drying section, into which hot air generated from the combustion of biomass enters, and a grain heating section composed of a plurality of heating tubes penetrating the grain storage circulation tank and in contact with the grains on the outer surface, and communicating with supply side openings of a plurality of heating tubes for connecting the exhaust pipe of the biomass-fired kiln.

[0019] Considering the state of the art, there is a need to propose a fluidized biomass drying system and a drying process that can take advantage of available streams from other processes and, in turn, allow for increased residence times in the system while reducing the size of its component elements and the power required for its operation. With the above, the fluidized drying system proposed in the present invention achieves a final dry material with the desired specifications for use as an energy source, starting material for obtaining other types of products, nutritional sources for animals, among others.

[0020] GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The present invention is directed to a fluidized biomass drying system comprising:

[0022] A heat source;

[0023] A rotary valve or sluice;

[0024] A fluidized drying module comprising at least one ascending single vortex conical column and one descending single vortex conical or cyclonic column;

[0025] A separator;

[0026] A dry biomass collection device; and

[0027] An induced draft centrifugal fan.

[0028] Likewise, the present invention is directed to a biomass drying process comprising the steps of: i. Generating a hot air stream and entering it into the fluidized drying system; ii. Entering wet biomass into the fluidized drying system; iii. Dragging the wet biomass through the drying module of the fluidized drying system; iv. Separating the dry biomass and the air stream; v. Collecting the dry biomass.

[0029] With the system and process of the invention, available streams from other processes are used to obtain dry products useful as food products or as a source of energy, where the dry product obtained has a moisture content of less than 10% w / w.

[0030] LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 shows the diagram of a first embodiment of the drying system of the present application.

[0031] Figure 2 shows the diagram of a second embodiment of the drying system of the present application.

[0032] Figure 3 shows the diagram of a third embodiment of the drying system of the present application.

[0033] Figure 4 shows the diagram of a fourth embodiment of the drying system of the present application.

[0034] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The drying system of the invention comprises a heat source (1) connected to a duct coupled with a rotary valve or lock (2) that receives the wet biomass, conducting it to the drying module (3), in which the biomass is dragged through the helical fluidized bed created by the hot air stream inside the module (3), which removes the moisture from it, to be subsequently separated from the air stream by means of a separator (4) and collected in a biomass collector.

[0036] In one embodiment of the drying system of the invention, the heat source (1) is selected, among others, from a burner, an air heater or any other heat generating device, any of which produces combustion gases, steam or hot air. In a particular embodiment of the invention, a burner is used that uses as an energy source, organic matter or conventional fuels, such as gas or gasoline, among others. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the burner is a biomass burner, where the biomass is organic matter that includes, among others, by-products of palm oil extraction such as palm husk, rachis and fiber, coffee husk, biogas, or combinations thereof.With this burner, the heat comes from the combustion fumes, which raise the temperature of the air used for drying biomass either directly by entering the drying system of the invention, or indirectly by means of a heat exchanger coupled to the drying system of the invention. In another embodiment of the invention, water vapor is used as the air heating fluid in the drying system of the invention.

[0037] The air stream from the heat source (1) may be hot air, combustion gases or a mixture thereof, at a temperature between approximately 90°C and approximately 260°C. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the biomass burner generates combustion gases in a temperature range between approximately 160°C and approximately 230°C.

[0038] In one embodiment of the invention, the drying system further comprises a hopper for receiving the wet biomass, which is connected to the rotary valve or lock.

[0039] (2).

[0040] The rotary valve (2) is also connected to the drying module (3), thereby allowing the air stream and wet biomass to enter simultaneously into said module (3) for the respective drying. In one embodiment of the invention, the ratio of air and wet biomass entering the drying process of the invention is between approximately 5m 3 and approximately 25 m 3 of air per kilogram of wet biomass. In one embodiment of the invention, the air to wet biomass ratio is determined according to the type of wet biomass and / or its initial moisture content. In one embodiment of the invention, the wet biomass comprises between about 40% w / w and about 80% w / w moisture.

[0041] The drying module (3) of the system of the invention comprises at least one ascending flow column (3a) and one descending flow column (3b). The drying module

[0042] (3) of the system of the invention comprises at least one ascending single vortex conical column (3a) and one descending single vortex cyclonic or conical column (3b). In a preferred embodiment, the drying module (3) comprises two, three, four, five, six and up to seven columns independently selected from ascending single vortex conical columns, descending single vortex cyclonic columns, cylindrical columns, among others. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the drying module (3) has ascending single vortex conical columns and descending single vortex cyclonic columns, descending single vortex conical columns, or intercalated cylindrical columns.

[0043] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the drying module (3) consists of two ascending flow columns (3a, 3c) and a descending flow column (3b), wherein the descending flow column (3b) is located between the two ascending flow columns (3a, 3c). In another particular embodiment of the invention, the drying module (3) consists of three ascending flow columns (3a, 3c, 3e) and two descending flow columns (3b, 3e), wherein the descending flow column (3b) is located between the two ascending flow columns (3a, 3c), and the descending flow column (3d) is located between the two ascending flow columns (3c, 3e). In a more particular embodiment, the ascending flow columns are conical columns and the descending flow columns are cyclonic columns and / or conical columns. In another embodiment of the invention, the drying module (3) comprises at least one cylindrical column.

[0044] In one embodiment of the invention, the ascending and descending single vortex conical columns comprise an internal duct suspended from the top of the column, said duct having a length of between about 50% and about 95%, preferably between about 70% and about 85%, with respect to the total height of the column, and a diameter of between about 20% and about 65%, preferably between about 37% and about 50%, with respect to the smallest diameter of the column. The presence of the inner cylinder in the ascending and descending single vortex conical columns of the invention ensures cyclonic movement inside the column by preventing a directly ascending or descending flow within it.

[0045] In another embodiment of the invention, the ascending single vortex conical columns further comprise an internal helix located from below, at a height from the base equivalent to twice the diameter of the column's inlet duct. Said helix is ​​characterized in that it comprises: an angle between approximately 1.0° and 3.0°, preferably between approximately 1.2° and 3.5°. oand about 2.2°; a helix pitch of between about 400 mm and about 900 mm, preferably between about 600 mm and about 800 mm; a helix width of between about 60 mm and about 180 mm, preferably between about 75 mm and about 150 mm; and a height of between about 15% and about 85%, preferably between about 20% and about 70%, of the total height of the column. The presence of the internal helix in the rising single vortex conical columns of the invention enhances the helical motion of the particles within the columns, increasing their residence time.

[0046] In another embodiment of the invention, the ascending single vortex conical columns further comprise an inclined sheet at the bottom, the inclination of which varies between approximately 25° and approximately 65°, preferably between approximately 35° and approximately 55°. The presence of the inclined sheet in the ascending single vortex conical columns of the invention prevents clogging problems at the bottom of the column and guarantees the continuous flow of biomass. In one embodiment of the invention, the ascending single vortex conical columns comprise an internal duct, an internal helix and / or an inclined sheet, according to the description provided above. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the ascending vortex conical columns comprise an internal duct, an internal helix and an inclined sheet.

[0047] In one embodiment of the invention, the columns of the drying module of the invention have a height between approximately 2.2 m and approximately 4.5 m.

[0048] In one embodiment of the drying system of the invention, a separator (4) is coupled to the drying module (3), which separates the dry biomass from the air stream. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the separator (4) may be a horizontally configured separator, a vertically configured separator, or a JET-type separator.

[0049] The separator of the system of the invention is also coupled to a second rotary valve (5), which allows the exit of the dry biomass, and to an induced draft centrifugal fan (6), which allows the exit of the air stream.

[0050] The collected dry biomass has a moisture content of approximately 6% to approximately 13% w / w.

[0051] This application also protects a wet biomass drying process, comprising the steps of: i. Generating a hot air stream and introducing it into the fluidized drying system; ii. Inletting wet biomass into the fluidized drying system; iii. Dragging the wet biomass through the drying module of the fluidized drying system; iv. Separating the dry biomass and the air stream; v. Collecting the dry biomass.

[0052] In one embodiment of the process of the invention, a heat source (1), for example a burner, generates a stream of hot air at a temperature of between about 90°C and about 260°C, more particularly between about 160°C and about 230°C. In a particular embodiment, the air stream comprises combustion gases, steam, or a mixture thereof.

[0053] In one embodiment of the process of the invention, the wet biomass enters the fluidized drying system through a rotary valve or lock (2), after which the elements entering the system are combined. In the entrainment stage, the air stream entrains the wet biomass through the drying module (3).

[0054] In one embodiment of the process of the invention, the ratio of air to wet biomass used in the drying process of the invention is between approximately 5m 3 and approximately 25 m 3 of air per kilogram of wet biomass. In one embodiment of the invention, the air-to-wet biomass ratio is determined according to the type of wet biomass and / or its initial moisture content.

[0055] In one embodiment of the process of the invention, the drying module (3) comprises at least two and up to seven columns. In a preferred embodiment, the drying module (3) comprises three columns (3a, 3b, 3c). In another preferred embodiment, the drying module (3) comprises five columns (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e).

[0056] The residence time of the biomass per column of the drying module (3) is between approximately 1 second and approximately 15 seconds. In a particular embodiment, the residence time is between approximately 1.5 seconds and approximately 3 seconds.

[0057] In one embodiment of the process of the invention, the drying module (3) operates at a temperature between approximately 90°C and approximately 260°C, preferably at a temperature between approximately 160°C and approximately 230°C.

[0058] In one embodiment of the process of the invention, the drying system described herein is used for the previously defined drying process.

[0059] The dry biomass obtained with the process described in the present application comprises a moisture content of between approximately 6% and approximately 13% w / w, more particularly with a moisture content of between approximately 6% and approximately 10% w / w with respect to the total weight of the biomass. The drying system and process described in the present application can be used to dry any agro-industrial residual biomass, in particular, that originating from the poultry, palm and coffee industries, such as sludge from the treatment of wastewater from poultry processing plants, by-products from palm oil extraction such as empty fruit bunches, mesocarp fiber, husk, tricanter sludge, NutPalm (obtained from the process in Colombian patent CO16051704), by-products from the coffee processing process, such as cherries and pulp, and cassava bran, among other agricultural waste.

[0060] A first specific embodiment of the present invention is presented in Figure 1, which shows a fluidized drying system that starts in the mobile grate biomass burner (1), into which the fuel and ambient air enter for combustion. In the burner (1), combustion gases are generated at a temperature between 90 ° C and 260 ° C, which enter the drying module (3). Simultaneously, the wet biomass enters through the rotary valve (2) until it reaches the drying module (3). The module (3) is made up of a first ascending single vortex conical column (3a), a descending single vortex cyclonic column (3b), and an ascending single vortex conical column (3c), where the biomass enters the ascending column (3a) in an ascending helical movement until it reaches the top, then it passes through the descending column (3b) following the same helical behavior until it reaches the ascending column (3c).Once the biomass and the air stream pass through the drying module (3), they are separated in the separator (4), which can be a horizontal cyclone separator, a vertical cyclone separator or a forced flow JET type dryer, where the dry biomass is collected by means of a rotary valve or airlock (5) and the air is expelled to the outside by an induced draft centrifugal fan (6). The dry biomass obtained from this specific embodiment of the invention has a humidity percentage between 6% and 10% w / w.

[0061] A second specific embodiment of the present invention is presented in Figure 2, which presents a fluidized drying system similar to that presented in Figure 1, where a cylindrical column (3c) is used instead of the second ascending single vortex conical column.

[0062] A third specific embodiment of the present invention is presented in Figure 3, which presents a fluidized drying system similar to that presented by Figure 1, wherein the drying module (3) also has a descending single vortex cyclonic column (3d) and an ascending single vortex conical column (3e). A fourth specific embodiment of the present invention is presented in Figure 4, which presents a fluidized drying system similar to that presented by Figure 1, wherein a descending single vortex conical column (3b) is used instead of a descending single vortex cyclonic column.

[0063] The drying system and process described in the present application can be used to dry wet biomass with a moisture content between approximately 40% and approximately 80% w / w with respect to the total weight of the biomass. Eighty-five percent of the particle's path within the drying system, more particularly in the drying module (3), describes a variable-pitch helical trajectory, thereby reducing the length of the columns.For the particular case of fluidized drying of 140 kg / h of wet biomass, the size of conventional linear columns known in the state of the art can reach between approximately 10 m and approximately 14 m in length, so that, by changing the columns for ascending single vortex conical columns and descending single vortex conical or cyclonic columns described for the present invention, columns with a substantially smaller length can be used and increasing the residence times between 5 and 9 times with respect to a linear ascending-descending system. The application of this principle optimizes the exchange of heat and mass in addition to achieving lower equipment manufacturing costs and lower energy, electrical and area consumption.

[0064] EXAMPLES

[0065] In order to evaluate the fluidized drying system described in the present invention, validation tests were carried out with different biomasses from the agro-industrial sector using particular modalities of the fluidized drying system of the invention.

[0066] Example 1. Fluidized drying of NutPalm

[0067] Under the modality shown in figure 1, an air flow of 1000-2000 m was used. 3 / h for drying NutPalm at a flow rate of 30–200 kg / h, achieving a reduction in biomass moisture content from approximately 40%–50% w / w in the initial biomass to 6%–10% w / w in the resulting dry biomass. The inlet air temperature was maintained between 100°C–200°C, and the initial air humidity was between 71%–75% w / w. The air leaving the system was between 45°C–70°C, with a humidity of 20%–50% w / w.

[0068] Example 2. Fluidized drying of palm husk

[0069] Under the modality shown in figure 2, an air flow of 2000-2500 m was used. 3 / h for drying palm husk at a flow rate of 90–180 kg / h, achieving a reduction in biomass moisture content from approximately 25–30% w / w in the initial biomass to 8–12% w / w in the dry biomass obtained. The inlet air temperature was maintained between 90–110°C, and the initial air humidity was between 71–75% w / w. The air leaving the system was between 40–50°C, with a humidity of 13–17% w / w.

[0070] Example 3. Fluidized drying of tricanter sludge

[0071] Under the modality shown in figure 1, an air flow of 1000-2000 m was used. 3 / h for drying tricanter sludge at a flow rate of 40–80 kg / h, achieving a reduction in biomass moisture content from approximately 50%–70% w / w in the initial biomass to 8%–10% w / w in the dry biomass obtained. The inlet air temperature was maintained between 90°C–190°C, and the initial air humidity was between 71%–75% w / w. The air leaving the system was between 40°C–50°C, with a humidity of 20%–30% w / w.

[0072] Example 4. Fluidized drying of coffee cherry

[0073] Under the modality shown in figure 1, an air flow of 2000-2500 m was used. 3 / h for drying coffee cherries at a flow rate of 90–180 kg / h, achieving a reduction in biomass moisture content from approximately 60%–70% w / w in the initial biomass to 6%–10% w / w in the dry biomass obtained. The inlet air temperature was maintained between 90°C–190°C, and the initial air humidity was between 71%–75% w / w. The air leaving the system was between 40°C–50°C, with a humidity of 20%–30% w / w.

[0074] Example 5. Fluidized drying of palm fiber

[0075] Under the modality shown in figure 3, an air flow of 1500-1700 m was used. 3 / h for drying palm fiber at a flow rate of 130–150 kg / h, achieving a reduction in biomass moisture content from approximately 35%–40% w / w in the initial biomass to 6%–10% w / w in the dry biomass obtained. The inlet air temperature was maintained between 170°C–190°C, and the initial air humidity was between 71%–75% w / w. The air leaving the system was between 50°C–60°C, with a humidity of 5%–20% w / w.

[0076] Example 6. Fluidized drying of cassava bran

[0077] Under the modality shown in figure 2, an air flow of 1300-1500 m was used. 3 / h for drying cassava bran at a flow rate of 40–80 kg / h, achieving a reduction in biomass moisture content from approximately 70%–80% w / w in the initial biomass to 6%–10% w / w in the dry biomass obtained. The inlet air temperature was maintained between 170–190°C, and the initial air humidity was between 71%–75% w / w. The air leaving the system was between 40°C–50°C, with a humidity of 5%–15% w / w.

[0078] Example 7. Fluidized drying of empty palm fruit bunches

[0079] Under the modality shown in figure 1, an air flow of 1000-2000 m was used. 3 / h for drying palm cob at a flow rate of 50–150 kg / h, reducing biomass moisture content from approximately 40%–60% w / w in the initial biomass to 6%–10% w / w in the resulting dry biomass. The inlet air temperature was maintained between 170–260°C, and the initial air humidity was between 71%–75% w / w. The air leaving the system was between 60–80°C, with a humidity of 5%–30% w / w.

[0080] Example 8. Fluidized drying of sludge resulting from poultry slaughter

[0081] Under the modality shown in figure 2, an air flow of 1000-2000 m was used. 3 / h for drying sludge resulting from poultry slaughter at a flow rate of 70–170 kg / h, achieving a reduction in biomass moisture content from approximately 60%–80% w / w in the initial biomass to 6%–10% w / w in the dry biomass obtained. The inlet air temperature was maintained between 130°C–210°C, and the initial air humidity was between 71%–75% w / w. The air leaving the system was between 60°C–80°C, with a humidity of 15%–30% w / w.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A fluidized biomass drying system comprising: i. A heat source; ii. A rotary valve or airlock; iii. A fluidized drying module comprising at least one ascending single vortex conical column and one descending single vortex conical or cyclonic column; iv. A separator; v. A device for collecting the dried biomass; and vi. An induced draft centrifugal fan.

2. The fluidized drying system of claim 1, wherein the heat source is a biomass burner.

3. The fluidized drying system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the drying module comprises three columns.

4. The fluidized drying system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the drying module comprises five columns.

5. The fluidized drying system of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ascending single vortex conical column(s) and the descending single vortex conical or cyclonic column(s) are interspersed.

6. The fluidized drying system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ascending conical columns comprise a helix, an internal duct and / or an inclined plate therein.

7. The fluidized drying system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the separator is of vertical configuration or horizontal configuration.

8. A biomass drying process comprising the steps of: i. Generation of a hot air stream and its entry into the fluidized drying system; i. Intake of wet biomass into the fluidized drying system; iii. Entrainment of wet biomass through the drying module of the fluidized drying system; iv. Separation of dry biomass from the air stream; and v. Collection of dry biomass.

9. The process of claim 7, wherein the hot air is generated in a biomass burner.

10. The process according to claim 9, wherein the heat-generating biomass in the burner is selected from by-products of palm oil extraction such as husk, empty fruit bunches and palm fiber or other sources of thermal energy such as coffee husk, biogas, combustion fumes from energy cogenerators, natural gas and water vapor. 1 1. The process according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the biomass enters the fluidized drying system by means of a rotary valve or lock.

12. The process according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the drying system is as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7.

13. The process according to any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the biomass to be dried is selected from biomass from the poultry, palm and / or coffee industries, including sludge from the treatment of wastewater from a poultry processing plant, by-products from palm oil extraction such as empty fruit bunches, mesocarp fiber, husk, tricanter sludge, NutPalm, by-products from the coffee processing process such as cherry and pulp, and cassava bran.

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