Project Overview
In January 2026, Shuliy successfully delivered one unit of electric-heated drying room to a food processing facility in Valencia, Spain. The client required a reliable drying solution to convert fresh citrus peels into premium dried orange peel for the spice and herbal tea market.
This box-type dryer was engineered to handle batch loads efficiently while maintaining consistent color and aroma—critical factors for high-value dried orange peel products. The installation and commissioning were completed within five days, and the equipment began commercial operation immediately upon handover.
Histórico do Cliente
The customer operates a mid-sized food processing factory located in the Valencia region of eastern Spain, one of Europe’s largest citrus production areas.
Specializing in fruit by-product utilization, the company processes citrus waste streams—including orange, tangerine, and lemon peels—into value-added ingredients for bakeries, tea blenders, and cosmetic manufacturers across the European Union.
Prior to this investment, the facility relied on passive solar dehydration methods that were highly weather-dependent and produced inconsistent results during the humid Mediterranean winter months.
Customer Challenges and Requirements
The client faced three core production pain points that necessitated an upgrade to industrial drying equipment:
- Unreliable Weather Conditions: Open-air sun drying required 10–15 days per batch and frequently resulted in mold growth during rainy periods, causing material loss rates exceeding 20%.
- Inconsistent Quality: Uneven heat exposure led to discoloration and volatile oil loss in the finished dried orange peel, making it difficult to meet EU food safety certifications and premium pricing tiers.
- Limited Throughput: Seasonal harvest peaks overwhelmed existing drying capacity, forcing the factory to reject raw material supply contracts during high-volume months.
The customer required a closed-system dehydrator capable of processing 300–500 kg of fresh orange peel per batch, with precise temperature control between 40℃ and 70℃ and a total drying cycle under 18 hours.
Shuliy Drying Solution
After evaluating the moisture characteristics of Valencia citrus peels (initial moisture 75–82%), Shuliy recommended the SL-series box-type dryer configured specifically for orange peel drying applications.
The drying chamber employs 360-degree hot air circulation to ensure every tray receives uniform thermal exposure, preventing the case-hardening and oil degradation common in inferior drying equipment.
Key customizations included:
- Electric heating system (24 kW) for rapid temperature ramp-up and clean operation without combustion byproducts contaminating the aromatic peels.
- Four circulating fans (0.37 kW each) plus two moisture exhaust fans (0.18 kW each) to maintain optimal humidity levels throughout the drying curve.
- 80 pieces of 304 stainless steel trays with perforated surfaces, allowing free airflow while preventing peel adherence and ensuring full food-grade compliance.
- Compact chamber dimensions (2 m × 2 m × 2.2 m) designed to fit within the client’s existing production hall without structural modifications.
Shuliy engineers also provided a staged drying protocol:
- 50℃ for 4 hours (surface moisture removal)
- 60℃ for 8 hours (interior dehydration)
- 45℃ for 2 hours (aroma fixation and cooling)
This process achieved a final moisture content of 10–12%, ideal for dried orange peel storage and milling.
Parâmetros Técnicos
| Especificação | Details |
|---|---|
| Modelo | SL Electric Drying Room |
| Chamber Dimensions | 2 m × 2 m × 2.2 m |
| Método de Aquecimento | Electric heating (24 kW) |
| Circulating Fans | 4 units × 0.37 kW |
| Exhaust Fans | 2 units × 0.18 kW |
| Tray Capacity | 80 trays (304 stainless steel) |
| Voltage / Frequency | 380V / 50Hz / 3-phase |
| Faixa de Temperatura | Ambient to 80℃ (adjustable) |
| Capacidade por Lote | 300–500 kg fresh orange peel |
| Drying Cycle | 14–16 hours per batch |
Comprehensive After-Sales Service
Shuliy provides comprehensive post-delivery support for every drying equipment installation. For this Spanish client, the package included:
- On-site commissioning and operator training conducted by Shuliy technicians during the first week of installation.
- One-year full warranty covering all mechanical and electrical components except consumables.
- Remote diagnostic support via video call and PLC interface access for rapid troubleshooting.
- Lifetime technical consultation, including recipe optimization guidance for different citrus varieties and seasonal moisture variations.
- Spare parts inventory held at Shuliy’s European logistics partner to ensure critical components reach the customer within 72 hours.
Why the Customer Chose Shuliy?
The client selected Shuliy after evaluating suppliers from Italy, Germany, and China. Three factors distinguished Shuliy from competing drying equipment manufacturers:
- Application Expertise: Shuliy provided a reference list of seven citrus peel processing customers across Egypt, Morocco, and Turkey, demonstrating deep familiarity with orange peel drying challenges.
- Transparent Pricing: The complete hot air circulation dryer system, including freight to Valencia Port and commissioning support, was quoted at a highly competitive rate compared with European alternatives offering equivalent specifications.
- Responsive Communication: Shuliy’s multilingual sales engineers addressed technical questions within 24 hours and supplied CAD layout drawings within 48 hours of request, accelerating the client’s internal approval process.
The factory manager noted that Shuliy’s willingness to customize tray spacing and fan speed settings for delicate citrus peels—rather than offering a standard off-the-shelf dehydrator—was the decisive factor in awarding the contract.
