A Method to Measure Emissions from Dryers with Diffuse Leakages,Using Evaporated Water as a Tracer

Abstract

This paper describes a novel method to measure emission from dryers. The method resolves the known difficulties caused by diffuse emissions, and also solves the problems associated with high moisture content of the drying medium. The basic idea is to use water vapor to determine the exhaust flow, while a dry ice trap is used both to preconcentrate emitted VOCs and to determine the moisture content of the drying medium.     

Controllability of Product Moisture Content When Nonscreened Sawdust Is Dried in a Spouted Bed

The control of the dried product's moisture content is of importance in the production of fuel pellets. Tests have been made in air and superheated steam in a spouted bed using the outlet temperature of the drying medium as a control parameter of the dried material's moisture content. For superheated steam different settings for the inlet medium temperature are also used. In the moisture content interval of 8-17% wet base there is a linear correlation between the dried material moisture content and the outlet temperature of the drying medium. When drying nonscreened sawdust in a spouted bed it is recommendable to use the outlet temperature of the drying medium as a control parameter of the dried material moisture content. This is independent of the size of the sawdust, whether superheated steam or air is used as a drying medium.     

INFLUENCE OF THE DRYING MEDIUM PARAMETERS ON DRYING INDUCED STRESSES

A thermomechanical model of drying of capillary-porous materials whose material constants depend on moisture content and temperature is presented in the paper. The finite element method is used for the solution of two-dimensional problem of convective drying of a prismatic bar. The moisture distributions, temperature distributions, drying induced strains and stresses for various drying medium parameters are determined. The effect of these parameters on moisture distribution and in particular on drying induced stresses is discussed.     

Accurate Determination of Moisture Content of Organic Soils Using the Oven Drying Method

The accuracy of moisture content values determined for organic soil using the oven drying method is dependent on the oven drying temperature. Some charring of the organic fraction occurs at the standard oven drying temperature of 110 ± 5°C; pore water remains in the soil when temperatures below 100°C are used. A new technique to determine the specific oven drying temperature that yields the correct value of the moisture content for organic soils is presented. Routine moisture content tests should be conducted at the standard oven drying temperature; moisture content values determined on the basis of the recommended oven drying temperature of 60°C include a larger error. A moisture content parameter is introduced to facilitate direct comparison of moisture content values calculated on the basis of different oven drying temperatures.     

INFLUENCE OF THE DRYING MEDIUM PARAMETERS ON DRYING INDUCED STRESSES

ABSTRACT

A thermomechanical model of drying of capillary-porous materials whose material constants depend on moisture content and temperature is presented in the paper. The finite element method is used for the solution of two-dimensional problem of convective drying of a prismatic bar. The moisture distributions, temperature distributions, drying induced strains and stresses for various drying medium parameters are determined. The effect of these parameters on moisture distribution and in particular on drying induced stresses is discussed.     

Accurate Determination of Moisture Content of Organic Soils Using the Oven Drying Method

Abstract

The accuracy of moisture content values determined for organic soil using the oven drying method is dependent on the oven drying temperature. Some charring of the organic fraction occurs at the standard oven drying temperature of 110 ± 5°C; pore water remains in the soil when temperatures below 100°C are used. A new technique to determine the specific oven drying temperature that yields the correct value of the moisture content for organic soils is presented. Routine moisture content tests should be conducted at the standard oven drying temperature; moisture content values determined on the basis of the recommended oven drying temperature of 60°C include a larger error. A moisture content parameter is introduced to facilitate direct comparison of moisture content values calculated on the basis of different oven drying temperatures.     

A New Variable Diffusion Drying Model for the Second Falling Rate Period of Paddy Dried in a Rapid Bin Dryer

The objectives of this article is to propose a new drying model for the second falling rate period known as the variable diffusion controlled period that follows after the first falling rate period and to propose a new method to determine the second critical moisture content that separates these two periods. Experimental work on paddy drying at minimum fluidization velocity was carried out in a rapid bin dryer. The effects of operating temperatures (60-120°C) and bed depths (2-6 cm) on the paddy drying characteristics were investigated. It was found that the normalized drying rate of paddy was proportional to the normalized moisture content in the first falling rate period but in the second falling rate period, the normalized drying rate of the material varies exponentially with the normalized moisture content. The different relationship between the normalized drying rate and the normalized moisture content in the first and second falling rate periods indicate that two different mechanism of moisture transport are at work. The new exponential model of the second falling rate period and the linear model of the first falling rate period were found to fit the experimental data very well. Derivation from variable diffusion equation shows that the linear model is the result of constant diffusion coefficient whereas the new exponential model is the result of linear diffusion coefficient. This also implies that the first falling rate period is a constant diffusion controlled period and the second falling rate period is a variable diffusion controlled period. In addition, drying kinetics data of a drying process that fits the exponential model over a very slow drying period will show that the drying process is under the effect of a linear diffusion coefficient. It was also found that the proposed new method to determine the second critical moisture content that distinguishes between the first and second falling rate periods by using a sudden change in the value of the drying rate gradient to a much lower value at that point is more rigorous and yet simpler than the method of determining the specific location of the receding drying boundary since it is based on the behavior of the actual drying kinetic data.     

Determination of Spray-Drying Kinetics in a Small Scale

The main aim of the study presented in this article was to develop and test a method to determine spray-drying kinetics in a laboratory scale. A special measuring tunnel to obtain evaporation rate similar to the conditions observed in a spray-drying column was designed, built and tested.

Extensive studies of drying kinetics for maltodextrin were performed for different air flow rates and air temperatures. Test runs to determine repeatability of this technique showed satisfactory agreement between subsequent measurements, which confirms accuracy of the developed measuring method.

An effect of the initial moisture content on the critical moisture content was observed which is related to a decrease of the equilibrium vapor pressure over the solution and a decrease of the driving force of evaporation and drying rate of the process.

Results of the experiments proved that the generalized drying curve obtained from small-scale experiments could be used to describe spray-drying kinetics if the critical moisture content of the material is known.     

非稳态法测定马尾松扩散系数

采用非稳态法在一定的实验条件下测定了马尾松的水分扩散系数,并且探讨了不同干燥介质温度、不同初含水率、不同纹理方向对扩散系数的影响。实验结果表明：干燥介质温度越高,扩散系数越大;初含水率越高,扩散系数也越大;木材纵向水分扩散系数远大于横向水分扩散系数,其比值介于5～7之间;径向水分扩散系数略大于弦向水分扩散系数,其比值约为1～1．5。     

IMPROVING MDF FIBRE DRYING OPERATION BY APPLICATION OF A MATHEMATICAL MODEL

Fibre drying is an important process in production of medium density fibreboard (MDF) which consumes a large amount of energy, affects product quality and, without appropriate control, causes environmental concerns. Based on fundamental knowledge of wood fibre-water relationships and heat/mass transfer, a mathematical model has been developed to simulate the MDF fibre drying processes. The model is able to predict fibre moisture content, air temperature and air humidity along the dryer length. After validation against the measured air temperature and humidity, the model has been extended to include both fibre drying and fibre conditioning, the latter occurring in the dry fibre conveyers. Due to potential benefits in reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and in improving panel quality, lower drying temperatures are more desirable than higher temperatures. However, in order to achieve the target moisture content after drying, a higher air velocity is needed or a second-stage dryer is added. The model was employed to determine the air velocity required and to assist in designing a second dryer for further drying and recovery of moist vapour and heat. A further study was undertaken to investigate fibre drying or fibre conditioning in the fibre conveyers and, once again, the fibre drying model was used to determine the air conditions.     

IMPROVING MDF FIBRE DRYING OPERATION BY APPLICATION OF A MATHEMATICAL MODEL

Fibre drying is an important process in production of medium density fibreboard (MDF) which consumes a large amount of energy, affects product quality and, without appropriate control, causes environmental concerns. Based on fundamental knowledge of wood fibre-water relationships and heat/mass transfer, a mathematical model has been developed to simulate the MDF fibre drying processes. The model is able to predict fibre moisture content, air temperature and air humidity along the dryer length. After validation against the measured air temperature and humidity, the model has been extended to include both fibre drying and fibre conditioning, the latter occurring in the dry fibre conveyers. Due to potential benefits in reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and in improving panel quality, lower drying temperatures are more desirable than higher temperatures. However, in order to achieve the target moisture content after drying, a higher air velocity is needed or a second-stage dryer is added. The model was employed to determine the air velocity required and to assist in designing a second dryer for further drying and recovery of moist vapour and heat. A further study was undertaken to investigate fibre drying or fibre conditioning in the fibre conveyers and, once again, the fibre drying model was used to determine the air conditions.     

Determination of Spray-Drying Kinetics in a Small Scale

Abstract

The main aim of the study presented in this article was to develop and test a method to determine spray-drying kinetics in a laboratory scale. A special measuring tunnel to obtain evaporation rate similar to the conditions observed in a spray-drying column was designed, built and tested.

Extensive studies of drying kinetics for maltodextrin were performed for different air flow rates and air temperatures. Test runs to determine repeatability of this technique showed satisfactory agreement between subsequent measurements, which confirms accuracy of the developed measuring method.

An effect of the initial moisture content on the critical moisture content was observed which is related to a decrease of the equilibrium vapor pressure over the solution and a decrease of the driving force of evaporation and drying rate of the process.

Results of the experiments proved that the generalized drying curve obtained from small-scale experiments could be used to describe spray-drying kinetics if the critical moisture content of the material is known.     

基于量纲分析方法的苜蓿干燥特性参数确定

应用量纲分析方法,建立了苜蓿的干燥温度、样品质量、茎秆长度、介质流速和初始含水率与其干燥常数k的经验公式,并得到了温度特性系数n与干燥温度的函数关系,提出了改进苜蓿薄层干燥方程,为分析干燥条件对苜蓿干燥速度的影响提供了理论依据。     

褐煤等温干燥过程及动力学研究

为研究褐煤干燥过程,利用煤质水分分析仪和微分热重分析方法,对不同粒级的褐煤在不同干燥温度下进行等温干燥试验,得到了样品含水率与干燥时间、干燥速率与含水率的关系曲线。通过粒级分布系数对褐煤进行含水率折算,并用不同干燥模型对试验数据进行拟合,得到了在介质温度140℃下3个干燥阶段的干燥方程及干燥动力学参数。结果表明,引入粒级分布系数得到的干燥速率特征常数k值,与不同粒级的干燥速率特征常数k的均值相近。根据褐煤的干燥速率和水分的存在形式,将褐煤干燥过程分为3个干燥阶段,分析得出干燥方程模型分别用线性干燥模型、Wang经验模型、Page模型较为合理。根据Arrhenius经验公式建立了ln k与1/T的关系,得到褐煤干燥的界面蒸发活化能Ea=17.088 k J/mol,指前因子A=12.47 min~(-1)。     

Principle and Applications of Drying Characteristic Functions

ABSTRACT

This article focuses on the concept of a ‘drying characteristic function,’ which is an effective way to correlate drying rate curves for convective drying of homogeneous nonporous, hygroscopic porous and non-hygroscopic porous materials. The characteristic function, obtained bv a certain transformation of a drying rate curve, is independent of drying conditions and hence characterizes the transport kinetics in the material. The principle and some applications of the functions are reviewed. The first application is estimation of dryinge rate curves. Because any drying rate curve can be transformed into the characteristic function and vice versa, the drying rate can be estimated for various drying conditions from a single drying experiment. Another aoolication is determination of the moisture diffusivity. Using the ‘flux ratio method’ an analytical expression of the characteristic function can be obtained for any aiven moisture diffusivity. The exprcssion enables one to determine the moisture diffusivity for a wide range of moisture content from a single drying experiment.     

Non-destructive Measurement of Moisture Distribution in Wood during Drying Using Digital X-ray Microscopy

The objective of this study was to develop a nondestructive method by which moisture distribution in wood during drying could be predicted. A newly developed digital X-ray microscope was used to measure the moisture content of wood and its accuracy and resolution was evaluated compared to the classic oven-dry method.

Small green wood specimens of Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) were cut and dried under constant temperature and humidity. As the weight was decreasing during drying, X-ray microscope images of cross section were obtained. From these digital images and specimen weight, the moisture content during drying was measured by the two methods. After the shrinkage of the specimen was canceled, the standard error achieved finally was about 1% moisture content within the experimental range. As the image was divided into small subimages, the clear moisture distribution can be seen. It was found that the image divided into 32 × 32 subimages in each size of 0.625 × 0.625 mm might be valid to determine the moisture distribution, and that the drying rate in early wood is larger than in late wood.     

Conditions for Accurate CFD Modeling of Spray-Drying Process

The paper presents concluding results of extensive experimental and theoretical research on confident CFD modeling of spray drying. An earlier developed experimental method to determine spray-drying kinetics in a lab scale allowed us to find a critical material moisture content and to determine generalized spray-drying curves. The generalized drying curves, identical in shape in the laboratory and pilot plant units, were used in the CFD model of spray drying process. Extensive simulations for spray drying of 10, 30, and 50% of initial solid content of maltodextrin proved high accuracy of the predictions of discrete (particle size distribution, particle moisture content, particle velocity, spray temperature) and continuous-phase parameters (gas temperature and humidity). Maximum error of the predictions of discrete-phase parameters was on the level of 20%, which is probably close to the current capacity of the CFD technique for modeling of spray-drying process. Comparison of experimental measurements and theoretical results shows that incorporation of realistic spray-drying kinetics into the CFD model and correct definition of initial drying and atomization parameters enable reliable simulations of spray-drying process.     

Simultaneous Heat and Mass Transfer in Shrinkable Apple Slab During Drying

The goal of the study was to determine the influence of drying shrinkage on the kinetics of convection apple slab drying. The arbitrary Lagrange-Eulerian (ALE) method was used to enter a problem with moving boundaries. It was found that drying shrinkage had a major influence on the both simulated temperature and water content in the material. The lower the moisture content in particles during drying, the more pronounced the effect of shrinkage on simulation of heat and mass transfer. It was found that application of the arbitrary Lagrange-Eulerian method for shrinkage modeling leads to a relatively simple mathematical model of the drying kinetics of shrinkable materials.     

Simultaneous Heat and Mass Transfer in Shrinkable Apple Slab During Drying

The goal of the study was to determine the influence of drying shrinkage on the kinetics of convection apple slab drying. The arbitrary Lagrange-Eulerian (ALE) method was used to enter a problem with moving boundaries. It was found that drying shrinkage had a major influence on the both simulated temperature and water content in the material. The lower the moisture content in particles during drying, the more pronounced the effect of shrinkage on simulation of heat and mass transfer. It was found that application of the arbitrary Lagrange-Eulerian method for shrinkage modeling leads to a relatively simple mathematical model of the drying kinetics of shrinkable materials.     

THIN-LAYER DRYING CHARACTERISTICS AND MODELING OF CELERY LEAVES UNDERGOING MICROWAVE TREATMENT

The effect of microwave drying on moisture content, moisture ratio, drying rate, drying time, and effective moisture diffusivity of celery leaves (Apium graveolens) was investigated. By increasing the microwave output power from 180 to 900 W the drying time decreased from 34 to 8 min; by increasing the sample amount from 25 to 100 g, the drying time increased from 25 to 49 min. To determine the kinetic parameters, the drying data were fitted to various models based on the ratios of the differences between the initial and final moisture contents and equilibrium moisture content versus drying time. Among the models proposed, the semi-empirical Midilli et al. model gave a better fit for all drying conditions applied. The activation energy was calculated using an exponential expression based on the Arrhenius equation. The relationship between the drying rate constant and effective moisture diffusivity was also estimated and gave a linear relationship.