Experimental Study on Energy Consumption of Combined Conventional and Dehumidification Drying

Conventional drying, dehumidification drying, and combined conventional-dehumidification drying of wood were experimentally studied in this article. The results showed that the energy consumption in the dehumidification drying is the least but its drying time is the longest. The energy consumption in the combined drying is more than that in the dehumidification drying but less than that in the conventional drying, and the drying time is half of that in the dehumidification drying. The advantages of the combined conventional and dehumidification drying are discussed from the experiments results.     

太阳能-除湿-常规分段组合木材干燥工艺优化

为降低木材干燥能耗,通过对杨木进行太阳能-除湿-常规分段组合干燥,即含水率40%以上采用太阳能进行预干,25%—40%采用除湿干燥,25%以下采用常规干燥,并与常规干燥进行干燥能耗和木材质量的对比。结果表明,分段组合干燥比常规干燥节能19%左右,而且干燥质量和常规干燥基本一致。分段组合干燥充分利用了三者各自的优势,从而达到节能的目的。     

高温除湿与常规蒸汽联合干燥的试验与分析

讨论了高温除湿与常规蒸汽联合干燥过程中干燥室内空气温度、相对湿度及木材含水率的变化趋势，分析了干燥过程中除湿量及能耗的变化规律。实验结果显示，高温除湿与常规蒸汽联合干燥节能效果显著，干燥质量好。高温除湿机可以直接放在木材干燥室内部工作，无需对干燥室窑体进行改装。     

Efficient Energy Recovery with Wood Drying Heat Pumps

This article presents a 13-m³ wood dryer coupled with a 5.6-kW (compressor power input) heat pump. Drying tests with hardwood species such as yellow birch and hard maple were completed in order to determine the system's energy performance. Supplementary heating to compensate for the dryer heat losses was supplied using electrical coils or steam exchangers. The heat pump running profiles and dehumidification performance in terms of volumes removed and water extraction rates, coefficients of performance, and specific moisture extraction rates were determined for two all-electrical and two hybrid drying tests. The hardwood drying curves, share of the final moisture content, and final quality of the dried wood stacks, as well as total drying energy consumption and costs, were determined for each drying run. Finally, the total energy consumption of the drying cycles using a heat pump was compared with that of a conventional drying cycle using natural gas as a single energy source.     

Model‐Based Energy Efficiency Optimization of a Low‐Temperature Adsorption Dryer

Low‐temperature drying is important for heat‐sensitive products, but at these temperatures conventional convective dryers have low energy efficiencies. To overcome this challenge, an energy efficiency optimization procedure is applied to a zeolite adsorption dryer subject to product quality. The procedure finds a trade‐off between the improved drying capacity due to dehumidification and energy expenditure due to regeneration while incorporating product drying properties. By optimizing the regeneration air inlet temperature, drying air, adsorbent, and regeneration air flow rates as well as sensible and latent heat recovery from the regenerator exhausts, the energy efficiency is improved by up to 45 % compared to the state‐of‐the‐art. The high mass transfer effect of high temperatures is utilized in the regenerator to boost dehumidification while isolating the heat‐sensitive dried product from the quality‐degrading effect.     

Evaluation of the energy efficiency of combined drying and heat treatment by superheated steam

This study compares energy efficiency of a combined drying and heat treatment with that of conventional hot air heat treatment, the theoretical heat consumptions required for each treatment were determined, and the actual heat consumptions for each treatment were measured at a pilot scale. Conventional heat treatment method separately performs kiln-drying and heat treatment for wood with hot air in different equipment. On the contrary, in the combined treatment, the wood is simultaneously dried and heat-treated in the same enclosed space. Because of the time and energy savings, the economic feasibility of combined treatment is much higher than that of conventional heat treatment. Although the theoretical required energy of the combined treatment was similar to that of the two-stage method, the actual energy consumption of combined treatment was less than that of the two-stage method. And, the energy efficiency of the combined treatment was calculated to be two times higher than that of the two-stage method. From the results of this study, decreases in the processing time and energy consumption and increases in the energy efficiency of the combined treatment by superheated steam were quantitatively shown when compared to two-stage method.     

Recent Research and Development in Wood Drying Technologies in China

This article reviews research and application in applied wood drying technologies in China during the last two decades. It covers four areas including texts, manuals, and standards; predrying treatments; drying techniques and equipment; and energy conservation. The predrying treatments section includes presoaking, presteaming and preheating, end coating, and warp control. Drying techniques and equipment discussed involve predrying and redrying, conventional drying, high-temperature drying, vacuum drying, dehumidification drying, and press drying. The energy conservation section describes electricity conservation and heat conservation. Finally, some suggestions and remarks are given on the past experience and perspective for future research and development.     

Recent Research and Development in Wood Drying Technologies in China

This article reviews research and application in applied wood drying technologies in China during the last two decades. It covers four areas including texts, manuals, and standards; predrying treatments; drying techniques and equipment; and energy conservation. The predrying treatments section includes presoaking, presteaming and preheating, end coating, and warp control. Drying techniques and equipment discussed involve predrying and redrying, conventional drying, high-temperature drying, vacuum drying, dehumidification drying, and press drying. The energy conservation section describes electricity conservation and heat conservation. Finally, some suggestions and remarks are given on the past experience and perspective for future research and development.     

Modeling of heat pump tumble dryer energy consumption and drying time

The use of heat pump tumble dryers is nowadays more common because they offer huge energy savings compared to conventional tumble dryers. Earlier studies made on conventional tumble dryers have shown that parameters such as heater power, fan speed, drum speed, weight and initial moisture content of textiles and air leakage have a huge impact on the energy efficiency and drying time. In the present study, a modified commercial heat pump tumble dryer was evaluated for energy consumption and drying time by changing operating parameters including fan speed, drum speed, and mass load. The total energy consumption and drying time were measured and corrected for the initial and final moisture content in the textiles. The experimental results based on 27 drying tests were evaluated to develop linear regression models for energy consumption and drying time, which show a good agreement with the experimental data. The results show that a large mass load, a high drum speed, and a low fan speed give the highest energy efficiency, i.e. the lowest energy consumption per kg of drying load. Larger loads extend the length of the drying cycle while higher fan and drum speeds result in shorter drying time.     

Study of Intermittent Low-Pressure Superheated Steam and Vacuum Drying of a Heat-Sensitive Material

Low-pressure superheated steam drying (LPSSD) has recently been applied to drying of various heat-sensitive foods and bioproducts with success. Several studies have shown that the quality of LPSSD-dried products is superior to that obtained using conventional hot air or vacuum drying. However, drying time and energy consumption for LPSSD is generally greater than that for vacuum drying. Therefore, it is necessary to examine different methodologies to improve the energy efficiency of LPSSD. An intermittent drying scheme is one possible method to reduce the energy consumption of the process while maintaining the desired product quality. In this study, the effect of intermittent supply of energy (through an electric heater and steam injection to the dryer) and vacuum (through the use of a vacuum pump) at various intermittency values or on:off periods (10:5, 10:10 and 10:20 min in the case of intermittent supply of energy and 5:0, 5:5, and 5:10 min in the case of intermittent supply of vacuum) at the on-period setting temperatures of 70, 80, and 90°C on the drying kinetics and heat transfer behavior of the drying samples (banana chips) was studied. The effects of these intermittent drying schemes and conditions on the quality parameters of dried banana chips; i.e., color, shrinkage, texture, and ascorbic acid retention, were also studied. Finally, the energy consumption values for intermittent LPSSD and vacuum drying were monitored through the effective (or net) drying time at various intermittent drying conditions and compared with those using continuous LPSSD and vacuum drying.     

Combined Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) and Vacuum Freeze Drying of Sea Cucumber

A combination of electrohydrodynamic drying (EHD) and vacuum freeze drying (FD) is examined as an improved method for dehydrating sea cucumbers. The energy consumption, shrinkage and rehydration ratio, protein content, and sensory properties, such as the color and trimness, of the dried product in the EHD–FD method are measured. Compared with FD, the combined process consumes less drying time and has lower energy consumption than EHD drying alone. Also, the product processed by combined drying displays lower shrinkage, higher rehydration rate and higher protein content, along with better sensory qualities.     

Optimization study of soybean intermittent drying in fixed-bed drying technology

Intermittent drying of materials is an alternative operation that aims at reducing energy consumption, improve the preservation of dried products or decrease effective drying time. Intermittent drying supplies the system with time-varying input air properties that are opposite to traditional operations, where air properties are constant at the dryer inlet. The major objective of this study is to establish the most satisfactory patterns of air temperature and velocity modulation at the dryer entrance to reduce energy consumption. This optimization study was based on a heterogeneous model for the drying of grains in fixed bed validated with experimental data. Intermittent and conventional operation experiments were conducted using equal energy consumption, and the influence of air temperature and velocity modulation on the drying rates related to the percentage of evaporated water were assessed. Results indicated that higher drying rates can be achieved under intermittent operation, and the validated model based on these results could reasonably predict temperature and moisture content profiles. Simulations pointed out that the best modulation patterns of air properties is a function of a variety of system conditions such as initial temperature and moisture content of both soybean and drying air. However, a tendency to reduce energy consumption was observed when the system operation is initially at high temperature and constantly at low velocity.     

A Simulation Tool for the Optimization of Lumber Drying Schedules

A two-dimensional wood drying model based on the water potential concept is used to simulate the convection batch drying of lumber at conventional temperature. The model computes the average drying curve, the internal temperature and moisture content profiles, and the maximum effective moisture content gradient through board thickness. Various scenarios of conventional kiln-drying schedules are tested and their effects on drying time, maximum effective moisture content gradient, final moisture content distribution within and between boards, and energy consumption are analyzed. Simulations are performed for two softwood species, black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.). The simulation results indicate that the predictive model can be a very useful tool to optimize kiln schedules in terms of drying time, energy consumption, and wood quality. Such a model could be readily combined with intelligent adaptive kiln controllers for on-line optimization of the drying schedules.     

褐煤干燥技术发展及应用现状

论述了国内外褐煤干燥提质技术的发展现状。针对传统热力干燥在褐煤电厂应用中存在的高能耗、高投资和低安全性等问题,开展了褐煤过热蒸汽干燥机理的试验研究和中试试验。结果表明：过热蒸汽的干燥效果优于常规热空气;中试试验系统能稳定、连续地对褐煤进行干燥,且干燥产品符合褐煤干燥实际工业应用的要求。最后提出了过热蒸汽预干燥低质煤提质洁净煤技术（SCU技术）,对其在节能、安全等方面的技术先进性作了具体的对比分析,结果表明：SCU技术节能节水、安全性高,符合中国可持续发展战略和节能减排的要求。     

A Combination of Freeze Drying and Microwave Vacuum Drying of Duck Egg White Protein Powders

High energy consumption during freeze drying (FD) is a major concern that limits its application on common food product manufacturing. In this research, fresh duck egg white protein (FDEWP) powder and desalted duck egg white protein (DDEWP) powder were obtained by a combined two-stage tandem drying technologies (FD and microwave–vacuum drying [MVD]) in order to reduce energy consumption while maintaining good product quality. The results showed that the drying time for the FDEWP and DDEWP powders was significantly decreased by FD + MVD compared to those obtained by the FD-only process. The FDEWP powders dried by FD + MVD had a better color (higher L* and lower b*), lower apparent density, and lower foaming stability but higher emulsifying index than those dried by FD only. The DDEWP powder dried by FD + MVD had a product quality similar to that of FDEWP powder, suggesting that the DDEWP powder could be widely used as a food ingredient.     

用BM公司干燥系统的技术改造

针对引进 BM公司干燥系统冷冻降湿设备老化 ,干空气露点高 ,切片可纺性差的生产状况。采用分子筛吸附除湿技术对进风系统进行改造后 ,干燥系统新风露点降到 -5 0℃以下 ,干切片含水率小于5 0μg/g,能耗明显下降 ,生产成本降低     

A Simulation Tool for the Optimization of Lumber Drying Schedules

Abstract

A two-dimensional wood drying model based on the water potential concept is used to simulate the convection batch drying of lumber at conventional temperature. The model computes the average drying curve, the internal temperature and moisture content profiles, and the maximum effective moisture content gradient through board thickness. Various scenarios of conventional kiln-drying schedules are tested and their effects on drying time, maximum effective moisture content gradient, final moisture content distribution within and between boards, and energy consumption are analyzed. Simulations are performed for two softwood species, black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.). The simulation results indicate that the predictive model can be a very useful tool to optimize kiln schedules in terms of drying time, energy consumption, and wood quality. Such a model could be readily combined with intelligent adaptive kiln controllers for on-line optimization of the drying schedules.     

组合干燥的应用及进展

组合干燥可以干燥某些单一干燥方法难以干燥的物料。组合干燥的应用不仅可以节约能源,而且可以较好地控制整个干燥过程,有助于获得高质量的产品。文章介绍了组合干燥的现状及其进展,并结合实例对组合干燥的应用特点进行了讨论。     

Combined conventional thermal and microwave drying process for typical Chinese lignite

A combined conventional and microwave drying process for Ximeng lignite was investigated in this paper. Samples were firstly dehydrated by hot air to achieve a conversion moisture content, and then were managed to final moisture content by microwave drying. Results showed that the drying rate was significantly improved in the decreasing rate period by microwave drying, approximately 3–5 times faster than that of conventional drying. Finally, the orthogonal test was used to clarify the effects of each factor on the energy consumption, and the magnitude ranking order was conversion moisture content?>?microwave power?>?hot air temperature.     

Experimental investigation on compressed air drying performance using pressurized liquid desiccant

As a new compressed air-drying method, the compressed air dehumidification using a pressurized liquid desiccant was proposed in our previous study. The pressurized dehumidifier is a complex and core component of the drying system. The mass transfer performance between the compressed air and LiCl aqueous solution is experimentally studied in a counter-flow pressurized dehumidifier filled with structured packing. The humidity ratio of outlet compressed air, vapor removal of processed compressed air, moisture removal rate, and dehumidification efficiency were selected as the performance indices. The results show that the minimum humidity ratio of processed compressed air could reach 0.23 g/kg under 0.71 MPa. Compressed air-drying performance could be remarkably enhanced through increasing the air pressure and liquid desiccant inlet concentration while the influence of liquid desiccant temperature is negative. Furthermore, in order to ensure high compressed air-drying performance, reduce the power consumption of the air compressor and liquid desiccant pump, and the possibility of carryover, the optimum ratio of liquid to compressed air flow rate is recommended to be around 1.5 under pressure around 0.50 MPa. Meanwhile, the energy consumption for per-gram moisture removal of a liquid-desiccant-based compressed air-drying system can reach 1.42 kJ/g lower than cooling dehumidification under 0.3 MPa, which is 16.0% lower than a compressed air-cooling dehumidification system.