Atmospheric Freeze Drying—A Review

This review article focuses on the development of atmospheric freeze drying (AFD): technological aspects, product possibilities, physical properties of products, drying kinetics, modeling, and simulation. The main motivation for developing atmospheric freeze drying as a new drying technology is the desire to reduce the energy consumption compared to vacuum freeze drying while maintaining a high product quality. One technical solution of atmospheric freeze drying is a combined atmospheric freeze drying and heat pump system with new environmentally friendly refrigerants. Temperature programs make it possible to customize products with desired qualities and properties, like retained color, instant properties, aroma, and nutritional value.     

Atmospheric Freeze Drying—Modeling and Simulation of a Tunnel Dryer

Drying is an important unit operation in processing of foods and other biotechnological products. Vacuum freeze drying is said to be the best drying technology regarding product quality of the end product, but the disadvantages are, among others, expensive operational costs and batch drying. Atmospheric freeze drying was introduced to lower the production costs of high-quality dried foods, and the need of simulation tools became important in estimations of the industrial drying processes.

A simplified mathematical model (AFDsim) is developed based on uniformly retreating ice front (URIF) considerations. The model is used to calculate theoretical drying curves of atmospheric freeze dried foods in a tunnel dryer. Studies of thermal and mass transfer properties during drying are essential for understanding the changes in product quality and for designing and dimensioning the drying process. The model can be used to simulate industrial atmospheric freeze drying of different foodstuff in a tunnel. The results from AFDsim modeling are in good accordance with the experimental results.     

Drying of Apple Slices in Atmospheric and Vacuum Freeze Dryer

Atmospheric freeze drying (AFD) and vacuum freeze drying (VFD) of Fuji apples was investigated. A factorial design was used in each case, with particle size, freezing rate, infrared (IR) radiation, and air temperature as factors. The effect of these factors on moisture content, duration of drying, rehydration properties, color, and texture were determined. The drying curves were fitted with both the simplified constant diffusivity model (SCDM) and the modified Page model, and rehydration curves were tested with the Peleg model, resulting in R² higher than 0.96. Antioxidant capacity, polyphenols, and ascorbic acid content in the final product were determined and compared with those obtained in a tunnel dryer. A sensory evaluation was performed.

The drying times obtained for VFD were shorter than the drying times obtained for AFD. The particle size and IR application were found to be the significant parameters that affect duration of drying for both AFD and VFD (duration of drying was proportional to particle size and inversely proportional to IR application). Air temperature affected drying time only during the secondary drying stage. Estimated D_eff values were on the order of 10^?10 (m²/s). In AFD, R² higher than 0.81 was obtained for the SCDM, and R² higher than 0.96 was obtained for the Page model. In VFD, a better fit was obtained (R² > 0.97) for both models. AFD produced nutritional alterations similar to convective drying. Sensory quality was not altered by AFD or VFD.     

A Novel Atmospheric Freeze-Drying System Using a Vibro-Fluidized Bed with Adsorbent

Atmospheric freeze drying (AFD) in a vibro-fluidized bed dryer coupled with an adsorbent and multimode heat input is proposed for dehydration of food products at lower cost than the traditional freeze-drying process under vacuum. The aim of this project is to study the proposed AFD system using a vortex tube to produce low-temperature dry air, an alternative for producing dried food products of high quality. An experimental setup was designed and built to permit simultaneous application of convection, conduction, and radiation heat input to the drying material above its freezing point to ensure sublimation. A parametric evaluation over a broad range of possible parameter values was carried out using cubic-shaped potato and carrot as model heat-sensitive products. The influence of various system parameters on drying kinetics, quality, and functional properties of the dried products (color, rehydration properties, and morphology) were investigated. Comparison between physical quality and drying characteristics of the AFD system with AFD using fixed bed, fluidized bed dryer, and also with traditional vacuum freeze drying were carried out to investigate the viability of this new system. Results indicate that proposed system is an alternative to reduce the process time as well as to maintain the product quality at lower cost.     

A Novel Atmospheric Freeze-Drying System Using a Vibro-Fluidized Bed with Adsorbent

Atmospheric freeze drying (AFD) in a vibro-fluidized bed dryer coupled with an adsorbent and multimode heat input is proposed for dehydration of food products at lower cost than the traditional freeze-drying process under vacuum. The aim of this project is to study the proposed AFD system using a vortex tube to produce low-temperature dry air, an alternative for producing dried food products of high quality. An experimental setup was designed and built to permit simultaneous application of convection, conduction, and radiation heat input to the drying material above its freezing point to ensure sublimation. A parametric evaluation over a broad range of possible parameter values was carried out using cubic-shaped potato and carrot as model heat-sensitive products. The influence of various system parameters on drying kinetics, quality, and functional properties of the dried products (color, rehydration properties, and morphology) were investigated. Comparison between physical quality and drying characteristics of the AFD system with AFD using fixed bed, fluidized bed dryer, and also with traditional vacuum freeze drying were carried out to investigate the viability of this new system. Results indicate that proposed system is an alternative to reduce the process time as well as to maintain the product quality at lower cost.     

“远东”新一代实验型真空冷冻干燥机的开发

介绍了国内目前生产的实验型真空冷冻干燥机的概况。重点叙述了上海远东制药机械总厂最新研制成功的实验型真空冷冻干燥机的结构原理、优点及开发关键点。该机现已批量出口。     

Research on Modeling and Simulation of Mixed Flow Grain Dryer

Mathematical modeling and computer simulation of grain drying are the major emphasis of grain drying research in CAU (China Agricultural University). Since 1988, research on simulation of concurrent flow, counterflow, cross-flow, and mixed-flow grain dryers has been accomplished. The developed mixed-flow grain drying software has been used in analysis of dryer performance, design, and optimization of new grain dryers and management of existing ones. Effect of size, shape, number of rows, and arrangement of air duct on the performance of a mixed-flow grain dryer has been studied.     

Parametric Study of High-Intensity Ultrasound in the Atmospheric Freeze Drying of Peas

Atmospheric freeze drying (AFD) is a dehydration process that can be used to produce high-end products for the food, pharmaceutical, and biological industries. Evaporation or sublimation at the drying temperatures used for these processes is generally low. Airborne ultrasound can be used to increase drying rates. This parametric study investigates the influence of the drying temperature, drying time, and ultrasonic power for atmospheric freeze drying in the presence of an airborne ultrasonic field. Accelerated effective diffusion of up to 14.8% was obtained for atmospheric freeze drying with a fluid bed. The faster drying in ultrasonic-assisted atmospheric freeze drying is assumed to be due to a higher mass transfer rate at the solid-gas interface, caused by a reduced boundary layer due to a higher turbulent interface. Thus high intensity, airborne ultrasound used with modern drying systems has great potential to accelerate drying, reduce investment and production costs, and improve product quality.     

Modeling of a Cocurrent Rotary Dryer

Parametric mathematical models of drying plants include balance equations and correlations that should be adjusted for each case depending on the material to be dried and the installation. In some cases, variable parameters are simplified as constants, providing an inaccurate model.

This article presents a model of a cocurrent dryer, showing the process by which it is arrived at, and raises suggestions for some improvements in the determination of the drying rate to obtain a more accurate analytical expression.

Preliminary tests are presented that can be performed on the solid material and the model of a pilot plant is validated.     

Spray Freeze Drying in a Fluidized Bed at Normal and Low Pressure

The aim of this study is to develop the spray freeze drying process and its hardware and to investigate its capabilities to dry thermosensible substances such as pharma-proteins at normal and low pressures. As the result, the spray freeze fluidized–bed dryer was constructed. During the study, the drying kinetic comparison between classical and spray freeze–drying technologies was done. Spray freeze drying has shown short process times and allows advanced control, product particle shape and size uniformity, and high solubility. This shows that the fluidized-bed freeze-drying process could be an alternative for classical freeze-drying processes. Identified problems are the low yield of the primary drying phase and the strong electrostatic effects during the secondary drying step. However, the innovative process has shown an excellent capability to dry and stabilize the thermosensitive substances, such as pharma-proteins.     

Spray Freeze Drying in a Fluidized Bed at Normal and Low Pressure

The aim of this study is to develop the spray freeze drying process and its hardware and to investigate its capabilities to dry thermosensible substances such as pharma-proteins at normal and low pressures. As the result, the spray freeze fluidized-bed dryer was constructed. During the study, the drying kinetic comparison between classical and spray freeze-drying technologies was done. Spray freeze drying has shown short process times and allows advanced control, product particle shape and size uniformity, and high solubility. This shows that the fluidized-bed freeze-drying process could be an alternative for classical freeze-drying processes. Identified problems are the low yield of the primary drying phase and the strong electrostatic effects during the secondary drying step. However, the innovative process has shown an excellent capability to dry and stabilize the thermosensitive substances, such as pharma-proteins.     

螺杆式制冷压缩机在真空冷冻干燥机中的最新应用简

本文首先介绍了真空冷冻干燥的优点,真空冷冻干燥机的组成;其次叙述了传统真空冷冻干燥机所采用的制冷压缩机形式,以及最新应用的螺杆式制冷压缩机的优势及特点。     

Mathematical Modeling of Agitated Thin-Film Dryer

Agitated thin-film dryers (ATFDs) are used to produce dry free-flowing powder from slurry/solution-type feed and widely implemented in pharmaceutical, chemical, and food industries. The feed passes through the ATFD in several forms such as solution/slurry and successively becomes paste, wet powder, and dry powder. The flow of feed in the ATFD undergoes a helical path (combination of rotational velocity imparted by the agitator/blade and axial velocity of feed) while flowing through the annular part of the dryer. The ATFD is described stage-wise and the parameters such as physical properties, scraped surface heat transfer coefficient, and evaporation rate (drying rate) are derived using stepwise model equations. The penetration theory is modeled to obtain the scraped-side heat transfer coefficient. The model equations were solved using MATLAB 7 (MathWorks Inc., Natick, MA) and the simulated drying rate was consequently validated with the experimental values.     

红外辅助冷冻干燥装置摔制系统的研发

真空泠冻干燥产品质量优异,广受青睐,但其干燥速率慢、耗能较大,制约其在普通产品干燥的推广应用。本文基于红外辅助加热和搁板传导的结合,提高对物料加热的有效性。并研发了红外辅助冷冻干燥装置的控制系统,以实现对物料冻结和加热的可控性和用户友好操作。     

Simulation of a Combined Microwave and Radiant Freeze Dryer

A mathematical model was developed to aid the development of a combined microwave and radiant freeze dryer. By considering the limitations of the condensation capacity and the vacuum system in the boundary conditions, a more realistic simulation was developed. The phenomenon of solid entrainment during sublimation and its effects on the drying process were also examined.     

采用环保型制冷剂的新型真空冷冻干燥机的研发

鉴于真空冷冻干燥机制冷工质R22将于若干年后被淘汰（发达国家2020年前淘汰，发展中国家2040前被淘汰，中国可能于2030年前淘汰），为此上海远东制药机械总厂冻干设备厂进行了一系列实验研究，最终采用R404A替代R22，并取得了成功。R404A替代R22前几年已在中央空调、低温热泵、商业制冷机上获得应用（制冷温度一般在-30℃以上，常见诸报道），但在冷冻干燥低温领域（制冷温度-60-800c）尚未见有报道。     

CFD Model of Apple Atmospheric Freeze Drying at Low Temperature

An Internet-controlled atmospheric freeze dryer was designed, built, and tested in the Department of Heat and Mass Transfer, Technical University of ?ód?. A film sublimation-based CFD model was developed and verified using Fluent 6.1 commercial CFD software. The model enables the simulation of phase change and water vapor diffusion process within porous media. Transport of non-condensable species can be calculated with species transport inbuilt model of Fluent 6.1 and used to predict sublimation rate under given conditions. Results were compared with AFD experimental data of 10-mm Idared apple cubes. The viability of applying the film sublimation model to atmospheric freeze-drying process was demonstrated. Higher mass flux was found on the leading edge, relatively uniform mass flux within the porous zone illustrates that vapor diffusion dominates atmospheric freeze drying process at low temperature (below 0°C). CFD results for apple cubes show a predomination of diffusional resistance of porous tissue.     

Analysis and Optimization of Drying of Green Bricks in a Tunnel Dryer

One way to avoid the risk of condensation in a tunnel dryer for drying of green bricks is to use higher air flow rates. However, higher air flow rates accelerate the drying rate and thus cause damages. It is necessary to determine the optimal values of the hot and outdoor air mass flow rates and optimum stack temperature to avoid the condensation. Four different temperatures, (?5, 10, 20, and 30°C) and three different relative humidities (40, 60, and 80%) for the outdoor air were selected. Optimal operation parameters and the required stack temperature to avoid condensation for different cases were computed.     

Microwave-Assisted Atmospheric Freeze Drying of Green Peas: A Case Study

Atmospheric freeze drying (AFD) is based on the sublimation of ice due to a pressure gradient (convective drying), and is a dehydration process for temperature-sensitive products. Since the process is slow in general, microwave radiation (MW) was applied in order to increase the sublimation in fluid and fixed bed conditions at drying temperatures of ?6°C, ?3°C, and 0°C. The modified Weibull model was used to describe the drying behavior for all investigations. With 280 Watt power supplied to the magnetrons, it was possible to reduce drying time by approximately 50%. The drying efficiency was approximately 30%, while the SMER was increased by 0.1 to 0.3 kg_waterkWh^?1, which gives better energy efficiency for the microwave drying system used in this investigation. The product quality (color reduction and particle size/porosity) was well preserved in fixed bed drying at ?6°C and ?3°C, while the product quality was reduced significantly in microwave AFD experiments at 0°C and in a fluid bed. The drying rates of AFD in a fluid bed condition were not as high as those in a fixed bed. MW-AFD in a fixed bed condition at temperatures of ?6°C and ?3°C performed best regarding product quality, drying time, and process control.     

模糊PID控制在冷冻干燥机温度控制系统中的应用

针对冷冻干燥机温度控制系统的大滞后、时变特性,设计了一个遗传算法优化的模糊PID控制器,并将它应用于冷冻干燥机搁板的温度控制中。仿真实验结果表明:遗传算法优化的模糊PID控制器响应速度快,具有良好的稳定性和抗干扰性,相比于传统PID算法能够更好地解决系统的非线性、时变和大滞后问题。