Robust Simulation of Counterflow Moving Bed Dryers

Abstract

In this work, a robust and accurate strategy for simulating counterflow moving bed dryers is presented. A complete pseudo-transient phenomenological model for the process has been developed and the variable time is used as a continuation parameter. The desired solution is the final steady-state reached by the model. The code DASSL is used to perform the integration of the differential algebraic equation system and consistent initialization is achieved via a direct technique. The computational effort is surprisingly small comparing to those reported in the literature. Reasonable concordance between simulated and experimental results has been observed even though the mathematical model contains no adjustable parameters. Convergence problems have not been observed for all tested operating conditions, including those pointed by other authors as particularly difficult. The mathematical tool built is capable of making accurate predictions about the behavior of the equipment in affordable computing time and hence this constitutes an invaluable tool to study counterflow moving bed drying.     

Numerical Simulation Techniques for Optimizing Thermodynamic Efficiencies of Cereal Grain Dryers

As a first objective, this study addresses a novel approach to drying efficiency analysis through transient models based on both the first and second laws of thermodynamics. As a second objective, we developed a numerical meshless scheme based on cubic radial basis functions to solve the associated nonlinear coupled advection-dominated set of partial differential equations. The simulated results showed excellent accuracy when compared with available literature data on drying. Finally, and most significantly, this study presents an original methodology for optimizing dryers based on energy and exergy efficiencies and the associated controllable operational parameters: drying air velocity (flowrate) and temperature.     

Robust Simulation of Counterflow Moving Bed Dryers

In this work, a robust and accurate strategy for simulating counterflow moving bed dryers is presented. A complete pseudo-transient phenomenological model for the process has been developed and the variable time is used as a continuation parameter. The desired solution is the final steady-state reached by the model. The code DASSL is used to perform the integration of the differential algebraic equation system and consistent initialization is achieved via a direct technique. The computational effort is surprisingly small comparing to those reported in the literature. Reasonable concordance between simulated and experimental results has been observed even though the mathematical model contains no adjustable parameters. Convergence problems have not been observed for all tested operating conditions, including those pointed by other authors as particularly difficult. The mathematical tool built is capable of making accurate predictions about the behavior of the equipment in affordable computing time and hence this constitutes an invaluable tool to study counterflow moving bed drying.     

Overall Energy Requisite and Quality Feature of Industrial Paddy Drying

Energy consumption and rice quality are the main concerns of millers and must be assessed to ascertain suitable industrial drying strategy. In this article, industrial paddy drying methods as usually practiced in the BERNAS paddy drying complexes of Malaysia have been evaluated. The analysis showed that the specific electrical and thermal energy consumption varied between 16.19 kWh to 22.07 kWh and 787.22 MJ to 1015.32 MJ, respectively, in single-stage paddy drying (SSPD) using an inclined bed dryer (IBD) to dry each tonne of freshly harvested paddy with average moisture content of 23.35 ± 0.86% wb. On the other hand, the energy consumptions for two-stage paddy drying (TSPD) with a fluidized bed dryer (FBD) followed by IBD were 21.37 kWh/t to 30.69 kWh/t and 666.81 MJ/t to 1083.42 MJ/t, respectively. SSPD at 35–39°C and TSPD using FBD at 120°C as the first stage, followed by IBD as the second stage at lower temperature of 35–39°C yielded 2–3.6% higher head rice yield than paddy-dried by a single stage with IBD using comparatively higher temperature of 40–44°C. Therefore, IBD is recommended to be operated using a temperature of 35–39°C both in single-stage drying and second-stage drying of paddy after fluidized bed drying to obtain quality rice.     

Total Energy Balance Method for Venting Electric Clothes Dryers

A total energy balance method for venting electric tumbler dryers was developed and the experimental methodology and calculation details are provided in this article. The energy to evaporate the water in the load; the energy to heat the water, textile, and dryer; energy losses by convection and radiation; and the energy not used in the process were considered to calculate the total output energy. This method was applied to a domestic venting electric tumble dryer. The results of the method suggested areas of improvement. The maximum difference between the measured total input and the calculated total output energies was 2.6%, indicating the accuracy of the method.     

Simulation and Optimization of Semicontinuous Industrial Tunnel Dryers for Fruits

Semicontinuous industrial tunnel dryers were simulated and optimized for concurrent and countercurrent configurations. Mass and energy balances for the solid and gas phase were used to describe the operation of the dryer and a semi-empirical model for the mass transfer rate; the drying rate equation parameters were fitted using experimental data for Italy grapes. The simulation programs coded in Fortran 90 calculate the moisture and temperature profiles for grapes and humidity and temperature for air throughout the tunnel, cycle time, recirculation ratio, thermal load, and fresh air flow rate. The optimization minimizes the energy input considering the degradation of ascorbic acid in the fruit as the main constraint.     

A Cross-Flow Model for Continuous Plug Flow Fluidized-Bed Cross-Flow Dryers

Plug flow fluidized bed cross-flow dryers have been used in drying of particulate solids such as paddy and other grains for many years. However, simulation of the performance of any particular design of the dryer has always been problematic due to the inadequate overall empirical models used that are too inflexible and too specific to the particular design. In addition, previous theoretical models of the plug flow fluidized bed cross-flow dryer did not model the gas cross flow properly and had difficulty in modeling the moving solid bed. A new steady-state cross-flow model of the dryer that models the gas cross-flow is proposed. The profiles for the solids and air moisture contents and temperatures were found to be dependent on the gas-solid flow ratio, G/F, the specific heat demand, C_PY(T_I - T_A)/(Y_E - Y_I), the total number of a transfer units, N_T = Gε/KφaSL and the specific drying load, (X_I - X_P)/ (Y_E - Y_I). The model was validated by comparing the simulated data with experimental data that were obtained by drying paddy in a plug flow fluidized bed cross-flow dryer pilot plant. The model was found to estimate very well the solids moisture content and temperature, the gas moisture content and temperature profiles, and the driving force profile.     

A Cross-Flow Model for Continuous Plug Flow Fluidized-Bed Cross-Flow Dryers

Plug flow fluidized bed cross-flow dryers have been used in drying of particulate solids such as paddy and other grains for many years. However, simulation of the performance of any particular design of the dryer has always been problematic due to the inadequate overall empirical models used that are too inflexible and too specific to the particular design. In addition, previous theoretical models of the plug flow fluidized bed cross-flow dryer did not model the gas cross flow properly and had difficulty in modeling the moving solid bed. A new steady-state cross-flow model of the dryer that models the gas cross-flow is proposed. The profiles for the solids and air moisture contents and temperatures were found to be dependent on the gas-solid flow ratio, G/F, the specific heat demand, C _PY (T _I  ? T _A )/(Y _E  ? Y _I ), the total number of a transfer units, N _T  = Gε/KφaSL and the specific drying load, (X _I  ? X _P )/ (Y _E  ? Y _I ). The model was validated by comparing the simulated data with experimental data that were obtained by drying paddy in a plug flow fluidized bed cross-flow dryer pilot plant. The model was found to estimate very well the solids moisture content and temperature, the gas moisture content and temperature profiles, and the driving force profile.     

Mathematical Modeling and Simulation of Drying Using Two Industrial Concurrent and Countercurrent Rotary Dryers for Ammonium Nitrate

Drying of ammonium nitrate (AN) is accomplished in the Shiraz Petrochemical Complex (SPC) using a concurrent rotary dryer following a countercurrent rotary dryer. A mathematical model for these rotary dryers including heat and mass transfer was developed. The model was checked against industrial-scale data, which showed a good agreement. The average absolute deviation of the simulation results compared to the industrial data for the concurrent dryer was 4.0% for solids moisture, 1.3% for solids temperature, and 1.8% for air temperature and for the countercurrent dryer it was 9.0% for the solids moisture, 2.0% for solids temperature, and 4.6% for air temperature. These simulation results reveal that for outlet solid moisture, inlet AN moisture, and air temperature as well as the outlet temperature of product, the inlet solid and air temperature have major effects for both concurrent and countercurrent flow.     

Dynamic Analysis of Drying Energy Consumption

Abstract

A concept of instantaneous drying and energy efficiencies has been applied to analyze energy consumption in a through-circulation conveyor dryer and a batch fluid bed dryer for synthetic rubber. It is shown that the energy performance of the conveyor dryer can be improved by leveling of the moisture content distribution across the material layer by mechanical agitation, and sectioning of the air plenum in order to reduce inlet air temperature in the last two sections of the dryer. It is also shown that drying of a synthetic rubber in the fluid bed dryer is more energy-efficient than in the conveyor dryer, especially in the constant-rate period. Thus, the largest energy savings could be obtained in a two-stage dryer comprised of the plug-flow fluid bed dryer, and the belt conveyor dryer for removal of the bulk and residual water, respectively.     

Dynamic Analysis of Drying Energy Consumption

A concept of instantaneous drying and energy efficiencies has been applied to analyze energy consumption in a through-circulation conveyor dryer and a batch fluid bed dryer for synthetic rubber. It is shown that the energy performance of the conveyor dryer can be improved by leveling of the moisture content distribution across the material layer by mechanical agitation, and sectioning of the air plenum in order to reduce inlet air temperature in the last two sections of the dryer. It is also shown that drying of a synthetic rubber in the fluid bed dryer is more energy-efficient than in the conveyor dryer, especially in the constant-rate period. Thus, the largest energy savings could be obtained in a two-stage dryer comprised of the plug-flow fluid bed dryer, and the belt conveyor dryer for removal of the bulk and residual water, respectively.     

Modeling of Dust Explosion in the Industrial Spray Dryer

Standard ANSYS FLUENT software was used to model a dust explosion inside a counter current spray-drying tower by replacing the dust with a flammable gas–air mixture. Two sets of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations for a dust explosion in the tower were carried out at a uniform gas concentration and variable concentration in the dryer, which reflect the distribution of wet and dry powder zones in the spray dryer. The CFD calculation showed that a dust explosion developed from the ignition point mostly to the upper part of the tower. The temperature, velocity, and reaction profiles followed the same upward pattern. Results of the calculations allowed us to determine the position and parameters of venting devices that should be installed to minimize the risk of damage to the dryer construction.     

Effects of Component Arrangement and Ambient and Drying Conditions on the Performance of Heat Pump Dryers

Performances of five heat pump dryer (HPD) configurations were studied by computer simulation. The component arrangement covers the fully open, the partially open, and the fully closed systems with external condenser or external cooler. The HPD performance was investigated for high and low drying rate and within the ambient temperature range of 20°C to 40°C. The best operating mode of the HPD depends on both drying rate and ambient condition. For the case of tropical climate and high drying rate, the partially open system is the optimum operating mode in general, except at some particular conditions where the fully open and fully closed systems are recommended. However, the operation for the low drying rate is more complicated, as the optimum configuration is sensitive to the change of ambient temperature.     

Improved Differential Modeling and Performance Simulation of Slurry Spray Dryers as Verified by Industrial Data

Process control of a spray dryer that is usually used as the last step of production is very crucial in obtaining a quality standard product. To this end, predicting the effect of various operating and environmental parameters on product properties is essential. Modeling has been done in microscopic and macroscopic scales by modifying the mass and heat transfer equations used in investigating the drying mechanism. However, as far as momentum transfer is concerned, the equations are the same as the ones used in the available literature models. Unlike conventional models that take only the two streams of hot air and sprayed droplets into account, a third stream is considered in our proposed model and this modification improves the results significantly. The model equations have been solved numerically and new simulation software has been developed using Visual C++ 6.0. The model results are in good agreement with industrial data obtained from a detergent-producing plant and show maximum errors of about 10%.     

Improved Differential Modeling and Performance Simulation of Slurry Spray Dryers as Verified by Industrial Data

Process control of a spray dryer that is usually used as the last step of production is very crucial in obtaining a quality standard product. To this end, predicting the effect of various operating and environmental parameters on product properties is essential. Modeling has been done in microscopic and macroscopic scales by modifying the mass and heat transfer equations used in investigating the drying mechanism. However, as far as momentum transfer is concerned, the equations are the same as the ones used in the available literature models. Unlike conventional models that take only the two streams of hot air and sprayed droplets into account, a third stream is considered in our proposed model and this modification improves the results significantly. The model equations have been solved numerically and new simulation software has been developed using Visual C++ 6.0. The model results are in good agreement with industrial data obtained from a detergent-producing plant and show maximum errors of about 10%.     

Drying Characteristics of Barley Grain Dried in a Spouted-Bed and Combined IR-Convection Dryers

A study was performed to determine the drying characteristics and quality of barley grain dried in a laboratory scale spouted-bed dryer at 30, 35, 40, and 45°C and an inlet air velocity of 23 m/s^?1, and in an IR-convection dryer under an infrared radiation intensity of 0.048, 0.061, 0.073, and 0.107 W cm^?2 at an air velocity of 0.5 m/s^?1. The results show that the first, relatively short, phase of a sharp decrease in the drying rate was followed by the phase of a slow decrease. The time of barley drying depended on temperature of inlet air in a spouted-bed dryer and on radiation intensities in an IR-convection dryer. Barley drying at 45°C in a spouted-bed dryer was accompanied by the lowest total energy consumption. The average specific energy consumption was lower and the average efficiency of drying was higher for drying in a spouted-bed dryer. The effective diffusivities were in the range 2.20–4.52 × 10^?11 m² s^?1 and 3.04–4.79 × 10^?11 m²/s^?1 for barley dried in a spouted-bed and in an IR-convection dryer, respectively. There were no significant differences in kernel germination energy and capacity between the two drying methods tested.     

Drying Characteristics of Barley Grain Dried in a Spouted-Bed and Combined IR-Convection Dryers

A study was performed to determine the drying characteristics and quality of barley grain dried in a laboratory scale spouted-bed dryer at 30, 35, 40, and 45°C and an inlet air velocity of 23 m/s^-1, and in an IR-convection dryer under an infrared radiation intensity of 0.048, 0.061, 0.073, and 0.107 W cm^-2 at an air velocity of 0.5 m/s^-1. The results show that the first, relatively short, phase of a sharp decrease in the drying rate was followed by the phase of a slow decrease. The time of barley drying depended on temperature of inlet air in a spouted-bed dryer and on radiation intensities in an IR-convection dryer. Barley drying at 45°C in a spouted-bed dryer was accompanied by the lowest total energy consumption. The average specific energy consumption was lower and the average efficiency of drying was higher for drying in a spouted-bed dryer. The effective diffusivities were in the range 2.20-4.52 × 10^-11 m² s^-1 and 3.04-4.79 × 10^-11 m²/s^-1 for barley dried in a spouted-bed and in an IR-convection dryer, respectively. There were no significant differences in kernel germination energy and capacity between the two drying methods tested.     

Diffusive Model with Shrinkage in the Thin-Layer Drying of Fish Muscles

Fish fillets present large variation in volume during drying, due to their high initial moisture content. A kinetical study on the drying of fish muscles in slabs shaped with constant air conditions at three temperature levels is presented. For the modeling of the drying process of these materials, a diffusive model can be used, assuming a one-dimensional volume change. A linear correlation was considered between the thickness of the material and its moisture content, where the linear shrinkage coefficient has been determined. The resulting dimensionless nonlinear partial differential equation was solved numerically by the finite differences technique.     

Energy Consumption in Industrial Drying of Radiata Pine

This article reports the results of an exploratory study designed to reduce heat and electricity consumption in industrial drying of radiata pine. The experiments were performed with slight modifications of the standard drying schedules used by the sawmill to dry radiata pine in 100-m³ industrial kilns. The heat and electricity consumption were determined with data collected during the drying runs and calculations based on mathematical models. The results showed that depending on the case, heat and power consumption were respectively reduced by up to 14 and 35%.