Solex Thermal Science > Solex Products > SIGMA 400 Cooler > How It Works > Minerals

Sigma400 Series Bulk Solids Cooler

1 SLOW & CONTROLLED PRODUCT FLOW
The product (minerals, metal powders, catalysts) passes slowly downward between a series of vertical hollow heat exchange plates.
Why It's Better

2 INDIRECT PLATE COOLING
Cooling water flows through the plates to cool the material by conduction.
Why It's Better

3 MASS FLOW TECHNOLOGY
The mass flow discharge feeder creates uniform product velocity through the heat exchanger and regulates the product flow rate.
Why It's Better

4 VERTICAL CONFIGURATION 
Minerals pass through the vertical heat exchanger by gravity. 
Why It's Better

Sigma 400: How It Works

Why It's Better

The slow and controlled movement of the material through the heat exchanger prevents product abrasion and degradation so that there is no change in particle characteristics or crystal size and shape. The low velocity of the product also makes this design suitable for handling abrasive materials, including all types of minerals.

Why It's Better

Minerals Energy Chart The unique indirect plate heat exchange design means air is not used in the cooling or heating process. This design is superior resulting in many important benefits for cooling and heating minerals.

  • It is ultra efficient, using up to 90% less energy than technologies requiring the use of air.
  • Air emissions, dust, and fines are eliminated due to the sealed design and because air is not used to directly cool the product.
  • Installed capital costs are reduced due to the elimination of costly and unnecessary air handling equipment such as large diameter air ducting, motors, fans, scrubbers, chillers and emissions controls.
  • The plates are configured to enable easy access for inspection and cleaning. The design makes it possible for individual plates to be isolated or replaced. 
  • Reliability is increased and maintenance is limited because of the simple design consisting of virtually no moving parts.

Why It's Better

Mass flow design means the product moves with uniform velocity through the heat exchanger. This feature, combined with long residence times (typically 5-10 minutes), enables even temperature distribution as the product passes through the heat exchanger, producing remarkably stable and uniform final product temperatures.

Why It's Better

Solex FootprintThe vertical configuration makes this design both compact and modular.  

  • The compact installation footprint makes this design easy to integrate into existing plants and is ideal for de-bottlenecking, revamps and capacity increase.
  • The clever modular design means that additional heat exchanger plate banks can be stacked if increased thermal capacity is required in the future.