Flash cooling of starch
Efficient product cooling and pneumatic conveying after starch drying
Efficient product cooling and pneumatic conveying after starch drying
Ingetecsa’s Flash Cooler provides continuous cooling of native and modified starches following industrial drying.
After drying, starch often needs to be cooled before storage, packaging or further processing. Effective cooling helps control product temperature and supports consistent downstream handling.
The Flash Cooler combines product cooling with pneumatic conveying in a single process step. Hot, dry starch is brought into direct contact with ambient air, reducing its temperature while transporting it towards downstream separation equipment.
The system can be integrated downstream of both conventional Flash Dryers and Ingetecsa’s Spiral Flash Dryer, providing a compact cooling solution for industrial starch production.
Ingetecsa’s Flash Cooler is suitable for the continuous cooling of native and modified starches from a wide range of botanical sources, including:
≡ Tapioca (cassava) starch
≡ Potato starch
≡ Maize (corn) starch
≡ Wheat starch
≡ Rice starch
≡ Other native and modified starches
Although these starches differ in their physical properties and processing requirements, the Flash Cooler operates on the same cooling principle.
Each installation is designed to meet the specific process requirements, including production capacity, initial and final product temperatures, ambient air conditions and downstream conveying requirements.
Ingetecsa’s Flash Cooler combines product cooling and pneumatic conveying in a single continuous process.
Hot starch from the dryer is introduced into a stream of ambient air. The starch particles are entrained in the airflow and conveyed through the cooling ductwork towards the downstream product separation system, for instance cyclones and/or a baghouse filter.
During pneumatic conveying, direct contact between the starch particles and the cooling air enables rapid heat transfer, reducing the product temperature.
The cooling system is integrated into the plant layout, with the conveying ductwork providing both the required cooling residence time and transportation to the downstream equipment.
The achievable product discharge temperature depends on the inlet product temperature, ambient air conditions, air-to-product ratio and system design.
Key advantages of the Flash Cooler
Efficient cooling with ambient air
The Flash Cooler uses ambient air to reduce starch temperature after drying, eliminating the need for a separate refrigeration system in applications where ambient air cooling meets the required discharge temperature.
Cooling and conveying in one system
Product cooling and pneumatic conveying take place simultaneously, eliminating the need for a separate cooling vessel and simplifying integration into the production process.
Compact, integrated design
The cooling pipework can be adapted to the available plant layout, making efficient use of space and reducing the need for additional process equipment.
Gentle product handling
Starch is suspended in the conveying air stream during cooling, avoiding mechanical agitators and reducing mechanical contact with the product.
Low maintenance requirements
With no moving mechanical parts in the cooling section, the Flash Cooler offers a straightforward design with almost no mechanical maintenance requirements.
Flexible process integration
The Flash Cooler can be installed downstream of conventional Flash Dryers or Ingetecsa's Spiral Flash Dryer and designed to meet specific cooling capacities, discharge temperatures and downstream conveying requirements.
Looking for an efficient starch cooling solution?
Reduce starch temperature using ambient air while conveying the product directly to downstream separation equipment. Contact our engineers to discuss the required cooling capacity, discharge temperature and integration into your existing or new drying installation.
The design of a Flash Cooler depends on the product characteristics, ambient air conditions and the required cooling duty. Each system is engineered to meet the specific requirements of the starch drying process.
≡ Product characteristics: Type of starch, particle size distribution, bulk density and moisture content.
≡ Cooling capacity: Product throughput, inlet temperature and required discharge temperature.
≡ Ambient air conditions: Air temperature and relative humidity, including seasonal variations that influence cooling performance.
≡ Air-to-product ratio: Selection of the conveying air volume to achieve the required heat transfer and stable pneumatic transport.
≡ Conveying duct lengths: Duct diameter, length and routing, considering cooling residence time, pressure drop and conveying velocity.
≡ Downstream integration: Product separation and connection to storage, packaging or further processing equipment.
Ingetecsa’s Spiral Flash Dryer provides efficient drying of native and modified starches using a turbulent spiral airflow and a static blade arrangement.
The Flash Cooler can be installed downstream of the Spiral Flash Dryer, combining drying and subsequent cooling in a continuous process.
Explore starch drying with the Spiral Flash Dryer →
Corn gluten meal is a valuable co-product of maize wet milling that requires controlled drying to achieve the desired final moisture content and product quality.
Ingetecsa provides industrial drying solutions for corn gluten meal, drawing on its experience in the starch and maize processing industries.
Explore corn gluten meal drying →
With decades of extensive experience in industrial starch drying and cooling, Ingetecsa understands the importance of reliable product handling and effective integration between process stages.
Our Flash Cooler systems are engineered to suit the specific requirements of each installation, taking into account production capacity, product characteristics, ambient conditions and downstream equipment.
From process engineering and equipment design to commissioning and operational support, Ingetecsa provides integrated drying and cooling solutions tailored to the needs of the starch processing industry.
Discuss your starch cooling project
Whether you are planning a new starch processing installation or looking to improve product cooling downstream of an existing dryer, Ingetecsa can help you develop a suitable Flash Cooler solution. Contact our engineers to discuss your production capacity, cooling requirements and integration into your process.