Pistachio drying facility in Ciudad Real

Soluciones Integrales de Combustión (SIC) has undertaken a new pistachio drying facility in Ciudad Real, designed to optimize product processing through a hot-air generation system and automated process control.

The thermal engineering solution incorporates an air-draught burner, a technology particularly well-suited for industrial applications requiring direct air heating. This type of equipment allows heat generation to be integrated directly into the process airflow, facilitating regulation tailored to the facility’s specific needs.

Specifically, the project features a JVA-C-60 Low NOx burner with a 698 kW output, designed for this drying application and capable of handling varying levels of thermal demand. The system runs on natural gas, and the generated hot air is distributed to the dryer according to process requirements.

A key element of the project is the automation of the drying process. The system is equipped with an ETC 6000 electronic control unit, which allows for four different control settings based on the quantity of pistachios being dried. This enables operating conditions to be adjusted to different product volumes without the need to keep the equipment running at a constant operating level.

The solution also integrates a variable frequency drive for the ventilation and dilution air systems, allowing for the adjustment of various system components and providing greater control over the process. Consequently, the coordinated regulation of the burner, ventilation, and air supply stands out as one of the installation’s primary technical features.

Drying technology for the agri-food Sector

The pistachio drying facility joins the range of solutions developed by Soluciones Integrales de Combustión for various industrial processes—specifically those serving the agri-food sector.

Drying is a crucial stage in pistachio processing; therefore, having a facility capable of adjusting operating conditions to suit varying load sizes enables a shift toward more controlled and flexible industrial processes. In this project, the product is placed in a modular system designed to handle different load capacities, while the combustion equipment supplies the hot air required for the process. Electronic controls allow for the selection of optimal operating conditions based on the volume being processed, thereby facilitating more precise management of the facility.

This project also reflects the increasing integration of automation and control systems into industrial thermal installations—a key area of ​​activity for Soluciones Integrales de Combustión, alongside engineering, the supply of burners, boilers, and hot-air preheaters, as well as other thermal equipment and the commissioning and maintenance of such systems.

Comprehensive solutions for industrial thermal processes

Soluciones Integrales de Combustión develops projects for thermal and combustion installations, covering every stage from engineering and equipment supply to installation, automation, commissioning, and subsequent maintenance.

The company aims to tailor each solution to the specific characteristics of the production process, seeking to improve facility performance, optimize energy consumption, and reduce unnecessary downtime.

The new pistachio drying facility in Ciudad Real represents a new application of SIC’s combustion and automatic control technologies within the agri-food sector, combining hot air generation, electronic control, and operational adjustments to meet actual production needs.