ROTARY COOLERS
From pilot scale units, to commercial size coolers, we have the knowledge and experience to build a rotary cooler that’s right for you. FEECO’s rotary coolers are custom designed and built to meet the needs of your process. Whether you require short or long residence times, carbon steel or specialty steels, FEECO can design a rotary cooler for your application.
Rotary coolers work by tumbling material in a rotating drum in the presence of chilled or ambient air. The drum is set at a slight horizontal slope to allow gravity to assist in moving material through the drum. Lifting flights maximize heat transfer efficiency by lifting up material and dropping it through the chilled air as the drum rotates. Indirect water deluge coolers are also available.
FEATURES
- Diameter: 3′ – 15′ (1 – 4.6m)
- Capacity: 1 TPH – 200 TPH (1 MTPH – 181 MTPH+)
- Custom flight design and layout to maximize efficiency
- Counter-current flow design to optimize cooling efficiency
- Durability in construction for long life
- Process and Mechanical Warranties
- Various Drive Assemblies Available
- Trommel
- Liners
- Leaf Seals
- Graphite Seals
- Machined Bases
- Screw Conveyor Feeder
- Automatic Gear Lubrication System
- Exhaust Handling Equipment
- Ductwork
- Carbon Steel
- Stainless Steel
- Specialty Alloys
- Explosion Bonded
- AR Steel

FEECO is capable of meeting the requirements necessary for CE marking equipment.

All FEECO equipment and process systems can be outfitted with the latest in automation controls from Rockwell Automation. The unique combination of proprietary Rockwell Automation controls and software, combined with our extensive experience in process design and enhancements with hundreds of materials provides an unparalleled experience for customers seeking innovative process solutions and equipment. Learn more >>
ROTARY COOLER COMPONENTS AND PARTS
The image below shows the standard components of a rotary cooler. Click image to view larger.
Mechanical Construction of a Rotary Cooler (3D Rotary Cooler by FEECO International)
A – Material Discharge Breeching
B – Flights
C – Riding Ring
D – Ring Gear Guarding
E – Discharge Air
F – Raw Material Feed Chute
G – Girth Gear
H – Pinion Gear
I – Coupling Guarding
J – Gear Reducer
K – Drive Assembly
L – Thrust Roller Assembly
M – Riding Ring
N – Trunnion Wheel
O – Graphite Block Lubrication Assembly
P – Trunnion Guarding
Q – Pillow Block Bearing
R – Product Discharge
APPLICATIONS & MATERIALS
Rotary coolers can lend themselves to nearly any industrial cooling need, but typical applications include:
- Aggregates
- Agricultural By-Products
- Animal Feeds
- Biomass
- Biosolids
- Fertilizers
- Gypsum
- Inorganic Chemicals
- Limestone
- Manure
- Metal Chips & Shavings
- Mining Ores & Concentrates
- Municipal Waste & Sludge
- Organic Chemicals
- Paper Sludge
- Plastic Pellets & Grains
INDIRECT ROTARY COOLERS
FEECO offers indirect rotary coolers for unique processing needs.
Mechanical Construction of an Indirect Cooler (3D Indirect Cooler by FEECO International)
A – Water Trough
B – Cooler Feed
C – Water Collection System
D – Product Discharge
Indirect rotary coolers rely on heat transfer through the drum shell to cool material, utilizing cool water bathed over the drum as it rotates in order to cool the drum shell and subsequently the material within. This method, commonly called “indirect water deluge,” is ideal in situations where lightweight materials such as pigments or other powders could become entrained in the air stream of a direct cooler, resulting in product loss.
Another reason for utilizing an indirect rotary cooler is that it allows for keeping a controlled environment within the cooler, for example, in situations where material will oxidize or burn should it come into contact with air.
Indirect rotary coolers can be designed as part of a recycle circuit, where warm water coming off the drum is run through a heat exchanger to cool it and send it back to the beginning of the process. They can also be integrated into existing systems.
FEATURES
- Stainless steel shell to prevent corrosion
- Custom design to suit exact processing needs
- Increased efficiency with the use of a water deluge system
- Various Drive Assemblies Available
APPLICATIONS
- Pigments
- Ultra fine materials
RESOURCES
PROJECT PROFILES
ROTARY COOLER ARTICLES


Question of the Week: Why are Flights Used in a Rotary Dryer?
Flights, also known as “fins” or “material lifters,” are commonly used in both rotary dryers and coolers to maximize heat transfer …


Overcoming Challenges with Rotary Drums
Rotary drums can be configured to serve as a variety of different pieces of equipment, including a rotary dryer, cooler, kiln, …
BROCHURES
PHOTOS
FEECO Rotary Cooler
Rotary Dryer and Cooler Flights
Knowing When its Time to Replace Your Rotary Drum Seal, Leaf Seal
Rotary Drum Drive Components
Rotary Drum Breeching
Replacement Rotary Drum Bearings
Resource of the Week: Rotary Dryer (Drier) and Cooler Brochure
Replacement Drum Flights, Rotary Dryer (Drier) and Cooler Flights
Replacement Rotary Drum Shell
Rotary Drum Laser Alignment Process, Rotary Drum Alignment
Why Post Maintenance Rotary Drum Alignment is Critical
Causes of Tire (Tyre) and Trunnion Wear, Rotary Drum Tire
FEECO Tire (Tyre) Grinding Machine, Tire and Trunnion Grinding in Progress
Rotary Drum Tire (Tyre) Wear Pattern from Excessive Wheel Skewing, Rotary Drum Tire in Need of Tire Grinding
Rotary Drum Tire (Tyre) Wear Pattern from Poor Housekeeping Practices, Rotary Drum Tire in Need of Tire Grinding
Rotary Drum Tire (Tyre) Wear Pattern from Misalignment, Rotary Drum Tire in Need of Tire Grinding
Rotary Drum Tire (Tyre) Wear Pattern from Using Improper Tire Lubricant, Rotary Drum Tire in Need of Tire Grinding
Tire (Tyre) and Trunnion Wheel Grinding
Tire (Tyre) and Trunnion Grinding
Replacement Rotary Drum PartsRotary Drum Thrust Rollers
Rotary Drum Trunnion Wheels (Rollers)
Rotary Drum Riding Ring (Tire/Tyre)
Resource of the Week: Girth Gears Page
Rotary Drum Knocking Systems
Spring-Mounted Replacement Rotary Drum Girth Gear
Resource of the Week: Rotary Kiln Customization Slideshare Presentation
FEECO Rotary Dryer (Drier) Flight Simulator
Rotary Drum Drive Base
Resource of the Week: FEECO Flight/Lifter Simulator Brochure
Resource of the Week: Tire Grinding Brochure
Resource of the Week: Unitized Drive Base Brochure
Rotary Cooler
3D Image Showing a FEECO Rotary Cooler
Rotary Drum Floating Tire (Tyre) Construction
Rotary Drum Seal
3D Model of a Labyrinth Seal for Rotary Drums
3D Model of a Leaf Seal for Rotary Drums
3D Model of a Labyrinth Seal for Rotary Drums
Resource of the Week: Seal Options Brochure
Roofing Granule Production Equipment
Rotary Drum Ball and Tube Knockers
Rotary Drum Tire Inspection
Benefits of Testing with the FEECO Flight Simulator for Rotary Dryers (Driers) and Coolers
FEECO Unitized Drive Base for Rotary Drums
FEECO Rotary Drum Unitized Drive Base Brochure
Flight Simulator Testing for Rotary Dryers (Driers) and Coolers Brochure
Thermal Processing Equipment Infographic
Bulk Solids Drying and Cooling: When to Choose Rotary
Rotary Drum Tire (Tyre) Washboarding, Drum Tire in Need of Tire Grinding
How do Leaf Seals Work
Rotary Drum Laser Alignment
3D Rotary Cooler
DDGS Cooler
Advancing Flights
Rotary Cooler for DDGS
Rotary Cooler for Nickel
Differences Between FEECO Drive Assemblies
Rotary Cooler for Fly Ash Lightweight Aggregate (LWA) Production
Rotary Cooler for Phosphates
Limestone Cooler
Potash Cooler
Rotary Drum Tire (Tyre) Damage, Drum Tire in Need of Tire Grinding
Rotary Drum Tire (Tyre) and Trunnion Wheel Grinding/Resurfacing
Rotary Drum Tire (Tyre) and Trunnion Wheel Wear, Drum Tire in Need of Tire Grinding
Damaged Rotary Drum Tire (Tyre), Drum Tire in Need of Tire Grinding
Rotary Cooler for Roofing Granules
Girth Gear Run-out Procedure
Rotary Drum Trunnion Wheel Skewing Adjustment
Refurbished Tire (Tyre) and Trunnion Wheel, Tire and Trunnion Wheel Refinished via Tire Grinding
Damaged Thrust Roller
Damaged Rotary Drum Tire (Tyre)
Simplified Process Flow Diagram (PFD) for Producing Roofing Granule Production including rock dryer, pre-heater, coloring drum, rotary kiln, and cooler
Rotary Drums for Roofing Granule Production
Rotary Drum Tire (Tyre) Wear Patterns, Drum Tires in Need of Tire Grinding