[Case Study] Drying Smokeless Coconut Shell Charcoal for Export with Daxwell Heat Pump Dryer

1. Smokeless Coconut Shell Charcoal: The "Black Gold" of Ben Tre Conquering International Markets

Smokeless coconut shell charcoal is increasingly establishing itself as a "black gold" product of Ben Tre province, favored in many major global markets for its eco-friendly properties. However, to conquer discerning markets like Russia, Japan, and South Korea, the product must meet the extremely strict "3 No's" standard: No smoke, No smell, and No sparks.

Achieving this standard hinges on the drying stage after the charcoal is pressed into shape. This is a decisive technical factor that requires precise control over temperature and humidity.

2. Challenges of Traditional Drying Methods

Traditional methods like sun-drying or using manual kilns often face critical issues that directly affect the quality of exported charcoal:

• Cracking due to thermal shock: Drying at excessively high and uneven temperatures causes the charcoal briquettes to crack and break, failing to meet form standards and being the main cause of sparking when lit.
• Inconsistent quality: The final moisture content is not guaranteed. Charcoal that is not thoroughly dried will easily crumble during transport and cannot meet the "smokeless" standard.
• Low productivity: Being entirely dependent on the weather makes it impossible to proactively plan production to meet large orders.

3. [CASE STUDY] Solving the Quality Challenge in Ben Tre with the Daxwell Heat Pump Dryer

In April 2023, DeAir successfully installed 2 drying rooms using the Maxwell-300D machine (the predecessor model of the current Daxwell Heat Pump Dryer line) for a facility in Ben Tre that produces smokeless coconut shell charcoal for export to Russia.

3.1. Solution Analysis: Why the Daxwell (Maxwell) D-Series?

• Precise Temperature Control (40°C - 60°C): The low and stable temperature range of the D-series is ideal for drying the charcoal slowly and evenly. This process removes moisture without causing thermal shock, keeping the briquettes intact and free from cracks.
• Closed-Loop Heat Pump Technology: This technology efficiently removes moisture in a closed chamber without requiring excessively high temperatures, helping the charcoal briquettes dry uniformly from the inside out and achieve the necessary hardness.
• Intelligent Controller: Allows for setting an optimal drying cycle, ensuring the final moisture content of the charcoal is below 5%, which makes the charcoal hard, dense, and prevents sparking when lit.

The parameter panel allows for precise control of the drying mode.

3.2. Outstanding Results

DeAir's solution helped the client completely resolve the issues of the old method:

• Uniform Quality: The rate of cracked charcoal was minimized, and the surface of the briquettes was hard, firm, and glossy.
• Meeting Export Standards: The finished charcoal was thoroughly dried, perfectly meeting the "smokeless, no sparks" standard of the Russian market.
• Stable Productivity: The business can now fully control its production and delivery schedules, no longer dependent on the weather.

4. DeAir - Partnering with Businesses to Elevate Vietnam's "Black Gold"

The success of the project in Ben Tre is clear proof that investing in modern drying technology is an essential step to enhance the value and competitiveness of Vietnamese coconut shell charcoal products in the international arena. The Daxwell dryer line, inheriting and developing from models like the Maxwell, is committed to providing the most effective, economical, and sustainable drying solution.