Optimization of the drying process in batch dryers

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Energy Sources

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00908319608908766· OSTI ID:253772

Khattab, N M ^[1]

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1. National Research Centre, Cairo (Egypt). Solar Energy Dept.

Because batch dryers are relatively cheap to build and inexpensive to maintain, they are widely used to dry agricultural products. A major drawback of these dryers is the continuously changing temperature and humidity of the drying air due to heat and mass transfer inside the dryers so that saturation level of the air is often reached before it leaves the dryer. This problem can be avoided by determining the suitable loading capacity for the dryer in relation to the inlet air condition. The maximum load can be determined either by limiting the number of trays, or by fixing tray loading with the above constrained condition of saturation. In either case, productivity, which is the maximum load divided by the corresponding drying time, is obtained and the optimum condition for each flow rate can then be determined. It was found for both drying conditions that there is a maximum value of productivity that determines the optimum dimensions and performance of the dryer at every flow rate.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 253772
• Journal Information: Energy Sources, Journal Name: Energy Sources Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 18; ISSN 0090-8312; ISSN EGYSAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
AIR FLOW
FLOW RATE
LOADING RATE
OPERATION
OPTIMIZATION
PERFORMANCE
SOLAR DRYERS