When exploring the available fluid bed options, the first consideration should be its shape. Should you go with a traditional rectangular fluid bed or a more modern circular design?
To determine the fluid bed that best fits your application and needs, you’ll want to take a close look at their key features and benefits to determine which type can help you deliver a consistent product for your customers while saving time and money in the process. With that in mind, here is a brief snapshot of some of the biggest advantages of going circular vs. rectangular.
Smaller Footprint
Compared to rectangular fluid beds of the same capacity, circular fluid beds require less floor space. This makes circular fluid beds a better option for facilities where space is limited or infrastructure expansion is cost-prohibitive.
Fluidization Efficiency
Achieving uniform air distribution, which is essential to a fluid bed’s efficiency, can be a real challenge with a rectangular fluid bed. The corners and edges found in these types of fluid beds can create dead zones and areas of uneven particle movement, which may require additional upgrades and/or investment in airflow management to ensure consistent drying performance.
Circular fluid beds utilize 100% of surface area for more consistent and efficient airflow. This eliminates material clumping and speeds up drying time significantly. Unlike rectangular fluid beds, circular fluid beds only require one air inlet and outlet, resulting in better control over the fluidization process.
Energy Consumption
The improvements to airflow dynamics that you get with a circular fluid bed correlate to more efficient heat and mass transfer, significantly reducing energy consumption during the drying process compared to rectangular fluid beds.
Due to their more complex geometry, rectangular fluid beds may experience higher pressure drops and uneven material flow. This can cause localized areas of over-drying or under-drying, requiring additional energy to achieve the desired moisture content. 
Screen Changing
Changing out the screen on a rectangular fluid bed is a time-consuming process. After removing the doors or panels needed to gain access, there are a series of bolts, screws and fasteners holding the screen in place that must be disconnected and reassembled. The new replacement screen must also be carefully lowered into place. Picture a maintenance worker dragging a sheet of drywall or plywood (a common size for rectangular fluid beds) and having to line it up to fit into a rectangular fluid bed. With its large size and precision installation requirements, screen damage can easily occur if procedures aren’t correctly followed.
With the added feature of Kason’s patented Air-Lift quick screen change system, one person can safely and easily change a smaller circular screen in under 2 minutes without the need for any tools.
Parts and Maintenance
Due to their compact size and simple design with fewer welded seams, circular fluid beds are easier to sanitize and clean than rectangular fluid beds. That means less downtime between batches. Circular fluid beds also come with few operating mechanisms and smaller parts that are easier to handle and replace when required.
Cost
If you are just comparing list price, rectangular fluid beds are a cheaper option than circular fluid beds. But to ensure cost-savings, you need to consider the lifetime value of your equipment. Due to their higher energy usage, maintenance and the volume and cost for parts, rectangular fluid beds can end up being several hundreds of thousands of dollars more expensive than a circular fluid bed.
Kason VIBRO-BED: Shift Your Processing Time into the Fast Lane
Kason’s VIBRO-BED dryers, coolers and moisturizers include eight standard models from 18 to 84 in. diameter and are engineered for fast, cost-effective installation. An inherently stronger and lighter construction also makes our fluid bed processors faster to build — and finish to sanitary standards. That means better lead times for operations (batch or continuous) looking to dry, cool or moisturize bulk foods, pharmaceuticals or chemicals.
Want More Information About Circular Fluid Beds?
Visit Kason’s VIBRO-BED product page
Have Questions?
Reach out to a Kason application engineer