Study of Drying of a Porous Medium Using Gamma-Ray Attenuation Technique

In this work the drying of porous media is considered and modeled according to Luikov equations. The experimental apparatus consists of a cylindrical porous medium positioned vertically, with its bottom closed and maintained at a constant temperature. The top surface of this porous medium is in contact with a known flow rate of dry air at room temperature. Under these conditions, the transient axial temperature and moisture concentration profiles are measured. A noninvasive technique has been used to measure the moisture content, which is based on the attenuation of a horizontal beam of gamma-rays penetrating the porous medium. The measurement of this attenuation allows determining the water content of the sample. The mathematical model has been developed using two different approaches. In the first one, the one dimensional Luikov equations are applied considering all the physical parameters as constant. In the second approach, heat and mass balance equations of this process are the simple one dimensional transient diffusion equations, considering both diffusion coefficients as adjustable function of the moisture content. As shown, this second approach is superior to the first one.     

Drying of Coarse Particles in a Vertical Pneumatic Conveyor

In the present work, one-dimensional two-phase continuum models were applied to simulate the pneumatic drying of porous alumina and solid glass particles. Pressure profiles, gas and solid temperature, and gas and solids moisture profiles were obtained in a 53.4-mm conveying tube. For both particles, maximum values of gas-to-particle heat transfer coefficients were obtained at air velocities close to the minimum pressure gradient velocity. Experimental temperature and moisture profiles of gas and solids were compared to simulated predictions, showing that models based on the two-phase flow approach fail to predict all the observed physical phenomena in simultaneous momentum, heat, and mass transfer for pneumatic drying of coarse particles. However, using adequate correlations and constitutive equations to predict interaction forces and transport parameters, it was possible to obtain good predictions of gas and solid temperature profiles and of moisture content.     

Microwave Drying of Porous Materials

Abstract

Experimental results on microwave drying of the porous particles exposed to air stream at 40°C are presented. The temperature and moisture distribution inside a particle were measured for gypsum spheres of 9, 18, 28, and 38 mm. The mass reduction was monitored during the drying process. The rate of drying and changes in temperature and moisture profiles for different drying conditions were analyzed and compared with the ones for convective drying.     

Microwave Drying of Porous Materials

Experimental results on microwave drying of the porous particles exposed to air stream at 40°C are presented. The temperature and moisture distribution inside a particle were measured for gypsum spheres of 9, 18, 28, and 38 mm. The mass reduction was monitored during the drying process. The rate of drying and changes in temperature and moisture profiles for different drying conditions were analyzed and compared with the ones for convective drying.     

IR Technique for Studies of Microwave Assisted Drying

This article examines the idea of using an infrared technique in obtaining temperature profiles in solid particles heated with microwaves. The geometry of a cylinder and a regular prism made from thermally and structurally different materials (potato and gypsum) were tested. A suitability of the IR photography for visualization and quantification of temperature distribution in heated samples has been confirmed. Symmetrical temperature profiles were detected in cylinders in contrast to non-symmetrical ones in prisms.     

IR Technique for Studies of Microwave Assisted Drying

This article examines the idea of using an infrared technique in obtaining temperature profiles in solid particles heated with microwaves. The geometry of a cylinder and a regular prism made from thermally and structurally different materials (potato and gypsum) were tested. A suitability of the IR photography for visualization and quantification of temperature distribution in heated samples has been confirmed. Symmetrical temperature profiles were detected in cylinders in contrast to non-symmetrical ones in prisms.     

A Three Dimensional Model for Heat and Mass Transfer in Convective Wood Drying

A three-dimensional model is proposed to describe the heat and mass transport process in drying of wood. The model is based on conservation of mass and energy and uses constant parameters obtained by comparing experimental data with numerical results. The model uses parameter values from literature. Experimental results obtained for temperature profiles during drying of a block of beech wood are compared with the model results. Satisfactory agreement is obtained over a range of drying air temperatures and velocities.     

Numerical Simulation of Drying of a Deformable Anisotropic Porous Medium Using the Lattice Boltzmann Method

The convective drying of an anisotropic saturated deformable porous media has been carried out numerically in the present paper based on the Darcy-Brinkmann extended model. The considered sample is a porous medium that is assumed to be both hydro-dynamically and thermally anisotropic. All walls of the sample are subjected to a convective heat flux. Furthermore, the thermal equilibrium condition is assumed to be applicable to the current investigation. The principal axis of the anisotropic porous medium ranges between 0 and 90°. The Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is used to solve the differential equation system. Special attention is given throughout this work to understand the effect of dynamic and thermal anisotropic parameters and the mass boundary conditions on macroscopic fields.     

Experimental Investigation of Drying in a Model Porous Medium: Influence of Thermal Gradients

In this study, isothermal and non-isothermal drying experiments with imposed constant temperature gradients have been conducted in a two-dimensional square pore network of borosilicate glass (SiO₂) with interconnected etched channels. In experiments with temperature decreasing from the open surface of the pore network, a travelling stabilized gas-liquid region could be established, while in isothermal experiments with uniform temperature faster breakthrough and an extended two-phase zone were observed. Both findings are in good agreement with pore network simulations. However, numerical underestimation of drying rates (especially in the second period of drying) indicates that liquid films might play a major role in the experimental pore networks, even in the presence of thermal gradients.     

Moisture Distribution Changes and Wetwood Behavior in Subalpine Fir Wood during Drying Using High X-Ray Energy Industrial CT Scanner

In some species, such as subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa [Hook] Nutt), the water content of the confined zones in heartwood is as high as or greater than that of sapwood. Such wet zones of heartwood are referred to as “wetpocket” or “wetwood.” Wood products from subalpine fir forests are adversely affected by the wetwood-associated problems, particularly during the drying process. The objectives of the study were as follows: (1) to investigate feasibility of a high X-ray energy industrial computed tomography (ICT) scanner for imaging wetwood; and (2) to determine changes of the 2-D and 3-D moisture profiles (from core to shell) at different drying times.

Although medical CT scanning has been used for attaining signal intensity profiles of typical wood at different drying times, the technology has not, to date, been used for the study of wetwood phenomenon. This study presents, for the first time, results from the ICT imaging of the wetwood phenomenon. The results indicate that the ICT imaging system provides a powerful technique for imaging wetwood at different drying times. In addition, the results show that during the initial phase of drying, almost flat moisture profiles were observed in all wood types except for the wetwood, which showed a relatively higher moisture profile. A much slower (sluggish) drying development pattern at each increment from core to shell was found within the wetwood zone than normal wood regions along the width, thickness, and length of the board.     

Fluid Flow Effect and Mechanical Interactions during Drying of a Deformable Food Model

The purpose of this work was to evaluate a mathematical representation for the drying of a spherical food model, including the fluid flow effect and mechanical interactions. Drying kinetics data were obtained under a laminar fluid flow and the mechanical properties were evaluated through compression tests. The drying model considers two-dimensional mass transfer and the mechanical model was formulated from elasticity theory. The solution made possible the understanding of the fluid flow effect on mass transfer and the relationship between drying stresses and physical degradation of the food models.     

Fluid Flow Effect and Mechanical Interactions during Drying of a Deformable Food Model

The purpose of this work was to evaluate a mathematical representation for the drying of a spherical food model, including the fluid flow effect and mechanical interactions. Drying kinetics data were obtained under a laminar fluid flow and the mechanical properties were evaluated through compression tests. The drying model considers two-dimensional mass transfer and the mechanical model was formulated from elasticity theory. The solution made possible the understanding of the fluid flow effect on mass transfer and the relationship between drying stresses and physical degradation of the food models.     

Application of Bi-S Drying Correlation to Microwave Drying Data of Pharmaceutical Powders

The moisture diffusivities and moisture transfer coefficients characterising the drying of pharmaceutical powders were determined using a correlation proposed by Dincer et al. (2002, Development of a new drying correlation for practical applications. International Journal of Energy Research 26, 245-251). Experimental moisture content data for lactose, Aspirin and Paracetamol samples dried under convective, microwave, combined convective-microwave and combined vacuum-microwave conditions were obtained. The drying coefficients and lag factors were determined from the experimental measurements and incorporated into the model. The mass transfer Bi numbers were found to be in the range 0.058 to 0.194, indicating the presence of finite internal and external resistances. Moisture diffusivity and diffusion coefficient values in the range 0.135 × 10^-9 to 102 × 10^-9 m² s^-1 and 0.067 × 10^-7 to 8.21 × 10^-7 ms^-1 respectively, were calculated. The predicted moisture profiles showed adequate agreement with the experimental observations, with the average error between experimental and predicted results being ± 15.9%.     

Drying of Porous Medium Containing Concentration Sodium Chloride Solution

This work experimentally determined drying rates for beds of glass beads containing a concentrated sodium chloride solution and noted the existence of a constant rate period following a falling rate period. A one-dimensional model was developed to interpret the experimental findings. The salt movement carried by up-flow of solution reduced the chemical potential of the solution near the top surface, hence limiting the drying rate. The model suggested that once the salt concentration at the top reached saturation, the process entered the constant rate drying stage. The proposed model reproduced the drying characteristics for the studied medium with a concentrated NaCl system.     

Modeling of Moisture and Temperature Changes of Wheat during Drying in a Triangular Spouted Bed Dryer

A mathematical model of temperature and wheat moisture content distribution inside a triangular spouted bed dryer was developed. The model is based on analysis of heat and mass transfer inside the dryer. In addition to that, an empirical bulk density model has been developed for wheat and included in the drying simulation. A laboratory-scale triangular spouted bed (TSB) dryer was used to dry wheat grain to validate the model. The dryer was divided into three sections, namely spouting, downcomer, and fountain. A series of drying runs were conducted to record moisture and temperature profile. There were two distinct regions observed during wheat drying. A constant rate period was observed during the initial drying stage and the falling rate period took place at the later drying stage. Initial moisture content and operating drying temperature governed the timing of transition from constant rate period to falling rate period. The model can be used to accurately predict the moisture content of wheat during drying. The temperature prediction inside the TSB dryer was less accurate, especially at high temperatures due to heat losses in the experimental dryer. Further studies are needed to improve the accuracy of this model, especially with regard to the temperature prediction.     

Microwave Drying of Wood Strands

Characteristics of microwave drying of wood strands with different initial moisture contents and geometries were investigated using a commercial small microwave oven under different power inputs. Temperature and moisture changes along with the drying efficiency were examined at different drying scenarios. Extractives were analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The results showed that the microwave drying process consisted of three distinct periods (warm-up period, evaporation period, and heating-up period) during which the temperature, moisture change, and drying efficiency could vary. Most of the extractives were remnant during microwave drying. It was observed that with proper selections of power input, weight of drying material, and drying time, microwave drying could increase the drying rate, save up to 50% of energy consumption, and decrease volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions when compared with the conventional drying method.     

Modeling the Drying of a Deep Bed of Ilex paraguariensis in an Industrial Belt Conveyor Dryer

The evolution of temperature and moisture content of leaves and twigs of yerba maté on different levels of a through-flow dryer was investigated by modeling heat and mass transfer using the finite-difference method. To validate the model, the temperature and moisture profiles were used to estimate chlorophyll losses.

Great variations were obtained in moisture, temperature, and chlorophyll content at different levels of the bed. Leaf temperature quickly increased in the former nodes, and it then increased slowly until it reached air temperature. In the twigs, the temperature increase was slow and the air temperature was never reached.     

Microwave Drying of Wood Strands

Abstract

Characteristics of microwave drying of wood strands with different initial moisture contents and geometries were investigated using a commercial small microwave oven under different power inputs. Temperature and moisture changes along with the drying efficiency were examined at different drying scenarios. Extractives were analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The results showed that the microwave drying process consisted of three distinct periods (warm-up period, evaporation period, and heating-up period) during which the temperature, moisture change, and drying efficiency could vary. Most of the extractives were remnant during microwave drying. It was observed that with proper selections of power input, weight of drying material, and drying time, microwave drying could increase the drying rate, save up to 50% of energy consumption, and decrease volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions when compared with the conventional drying method.