DRYER

I. INTRODUCTION
Drying refers generally to the removal of moisture from a substance.
Three basic methods of drying are used today 1) sun drying, a traditional
method in which materials dry naturally in the sun, 2) hot air drying in which
materials are exposed to a blast of hot air and 3) freeze drying, in which frozen
materials are placed in a vacuum chamber to draw out the water. The
fundamental nature of all drying process is the removal of volatile substances
(mainly moisture) from mixture to yield a solid product. Throughout the
convective drying of solid materials, two processes occur simultaneously namely,
transfer of energy from the local environment in the dryer and transfer of
moisture from within the solid.

Drying methods and processes can be classified in several different ways.

Drying process can be classified as batch, where the material is inserted into the
drying equipment and drying proceeds for a given period of time, or as
continuous, where the material is continuously added to the dryer and dried
material is continuously removed.

Drying processes can also be categorized according to the physical

conditions used to add heat and remove water vapor: (1) in the first category,
heat is added by direct contact with heated air at atmospheric pressure, and he
water vapor formed is removed by the air; (2) in vacuum drying, the evaporation
of water proceeds more rapidly at low pressures, and the heat is added indirectly
by contact with a metal wall or by radiation (ow temperatures can also be used
under vacuum for certain materials that may discolor or decompose at higher
temperatures); and (3) in freeze-drying, water is sublimed from the frozen
material. Therefore this unit operation is an essential unit operation used in
various process industries.

Moisture content (Xt) is one of drying terms.

As time , Xt X*

Where X* is Equilibrium Moisture Content.

R = - (LS / A) (dX / dt) (1)

Xt = W / LS (2)

where

R: Rate of drying [kg water/m2 hr].

LS: Weight of dry solid [kg dry solid].

W: Weight of water [kg water].

A: Surface area [m2].

Xt: Moisture content at time t [kg water/kg dry solid].

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 DRYER

II. SPECIFICATIONS

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Identification: Dryer Set-up
To reduce or minimize
Functions: the liquid moisture
content of the material
Number
1
Required:
Materials of
Constructio Stainless Steel
n:
Dimensions 18.7 in by 37 in by 60
: in
Length of
98.8 in
Dryer:
Colour: Orange
DESIGN DATA:
Quantity Type Specifications
Diameters: 1/2 1
16 Hex Bolts Grade: ASTM A307, F1554 Grade 36
Lengths: 30 maximum
Stainless Steel Over-all Length:
16 Hex Washer
Size:#10-16
API 600, ASME B16.34
1 Gate Valve Size: 2 L=8.50 W=8 H
(open)=16.93
Malleable Iron Size: NPS=1/4 A=1/2 in B=13/16 in
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Straight Tee pipe Unit Weight: Black=0.10
Malleable Iron
Size: NPS=1/4
3 900Elbow Straight
Unit Weight: Galv=0.09 kg
Pipe
Connection: Screwed
Size: ,3/4,1
Maximum Operating Pressure
(barg)= 0.3
1 A3N Steam Trap Maximum Operating
Temperature =(0C)= 200
Maximum Back Pressure:
80% of Inlet Pressure

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 DRYER

PROBLEMS
1. Dangerous Exhaust Port
Sighted
Hot air is exhausted just around the
dryer set-up posing a great danger on
the user.
2. The heating medium is steam
produced by a reboiler is
currently unavailable due to
electrical difficulties
3. Set-up is not Insulated
Additional
RECOMMENDATIONS
Position the dryer closer long an
exterior wall to keep the vent as short
as possible. Making an extension on
the exhaust port and add a 90 degree
elbow to divert the path of the hot air
upward. Place a pipe on one elbow
that is on the wall that can run a
maximum of 10 ft. By adding an elbow
or another piping system so that all air
is exhausted outside.
Instead of using steam as a heating
medium, installing a fan dryer can be
possible where electricity will be the
source of heat. However proper safety
precautions must be observed due to
a humid environment of the inside of
the set-up to avoid short circuiting of
the system.
Add a thick layer of rubber (any
insulating material you want) to lower
the outside surface temperature of the
system and thus reducing the risk of
having accidents.
Avoid windows and outdoor
obstructions like the electrical service
entry.

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III. PARTS AND FUNCTIONS

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INSIDE THE DRYING CHAMBER

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DRYER

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1. DRYING CHAMBER. The drying chamber consists of four self-contained

walls that are made of acrylic glass. The particular walls are along the
circumference provided with vapour tight insulation. The functional sample
drying chamber allows measurement of drying curves at specific
controlled conditions. This data can be then used for the assessment of
moisture diffusivity within the drying process.

2. WELDED BOLTS. Most industrial dryers are bolted or welded together,

depending on the importance of the seams, the anticipated product and
any motion the dryer will endure.

3. BLOWER INLET. Blowers are machines whose primary function is to

provide and accommodate a large flow of air or gas to various processes
of many industries. This is achieved by rotating a number of blades,
connected to a hub and shaft, and driven by a motor or turbine.

4. AIR IN. It is where the air enters the dyer.

5. ELBOWS. Elbow, on the other hand, is a specific, standard, engineered

bend pre-fabricated as a spool piece (based on ASME B 16.9) and
designed to either be screwed, flanged, or welded to the piping it is
associated with. An elbow can be 45 degree or 90 degree.

6. BLOWER OUTLET.

7. STEAM TRAP. A steam trap is a device used to discharge condensate

and non-condensable gases with a negligible consumption or loss of live
steam. Most steam traps are nothing more than automatic valves. They
open, close or modulate automatically.

8. AIR OUT. It is the where the air exits the dryer.

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 9. TEE. A tee, the most common pipe fitting, is used to combine fluid flow. It
can connect pipes of different diameters or change the direction of a pipe
DRYER
run. Available in a variety of materials, sizes and finishes, they ae used to
transport two-fluid mixtures.

10. GATE VALVE. A gate valve is designed to turn the flow of liquid through
pipes on and off. It is generally used on a valve that is not used frequently.
It is also helpful in controlling the flow of pressure through the pipes and
valves. Also known as a sluice valve, it controls flow by moving a round or
rectangular wedge in and out of the liquid path.

11. TRAY DUCT. The trays holding the product inside a cabinet or similar
enclosure are exposed to heated air so that dehydration will proceed.

12. INSIDE CHAMBER.

IV. MECHANICS

Drying may be defined as the vaporization and removal of water or other

liquids from a solution, suspension, or other solid-liquid mixture to form a dry
solid. It is a complicated process that involves simultaneous heat and mass
transfer, accompanied by physicochemical transformations. Drying occurs as a
result of the vaporization of liquid by supplying heat to wet feedstock, granules,
filter cakes and so on. Based on the mechanism of heat transfer that is
employed, drying is categorized into direct (convection), indirect or contact
(conduction), radiant (radiation) and dielectric or microwave (radio frequency)
drying.

Heat transfer and mass transfer are critical aspects in drying processes.
Heat is transferred to the product to evaporate liquid, and mass is transferred
as a vapor into the surrounding gas. The drying rate is determined by the set of
factors that affect heat and mass transfer. Solids drying is generally understood
to follow two distinct drying zones, known as the constant-rate period and the
falling-rate period. The two zones are demarcated by a break point called the
critical moisture content.

In a typical graph of moisture content versus drying rate and moisture

content versus time (Figure 1), section AB represents the constant-rate period.
In that zone, moisture is considered to be evaporating from a saturated surface
at a rate governed by diffusion from the surface through the stationary air film
that is in contact with it. This period depends on the air temperature, humidity
and speed of moisture to the surface, which in turn determine the temperature
of the saturated surface. During the constant rate period, liquid must be
transported to the surface at a rate sufficient to maintain saturation.

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Figure 1. (a) moisture content versus drying rate

and (b) moisture content versus time
Source: www.chemengonline.com

Segment AB of the graph represents the constant-rate drying period, while

segment BC is the falling-rate period. At the end of the constant rate period,
(point B, Figure 1), a break in the drying curve occurs. This point is called the
critical moisture content, and a linear fall in the drying rate occurs with further
drying. This section, segment BC, is called the first falling-rate period. As drying
proceeds, moisture reaches the surface at a decreasing rate and the
mechanism that controls its transfer will influence the rate of drying. Since the
surface is no longer saturated, it will tend to rise above the wet bulb
temperature. This section, represented by segment CD in Figure 1 is called the
second falling-rate period, and is controlled by vapor diffusion. Movement of
liquid may occur by diffusion under the concentration gradient created by the
depletion of water at the surface. The gradient can be caused by evaporation,
or as a result of capillary forces, or through a cycle of vaporization and
condensation, or by osmotic effects.

The capacity of the air (gas) stream to absorb and carry away moisture
determines the drying rate and establishes the duration of the drying cycle. The
two elements essential to this process are inlet air temperature and air flowrate.
The higher the temperature of the drying air, the greater its vapor holding
capacity. Since the temperature of the wet granules in a hot gas depends on
the rate of evaporation, the key to analyzing the drying process is
psychrometry, defined as the study of the relationships between the material
and energy balances of water vapor and air mixture.

V. OPERATING PROCEDURE
5.1 Start-Up

5.1.1. Run the boiler. Wait until the pressure gauge in the steam
discharge shows a reading about 25 psi.
5.1.2. Open the steam inlet to the heating tubes of the tunnel dryer.
Let the steam run inside the tubes for about 15 minutes with
the condensate outlet valve closed.
5.1.3. Open the condensate outlet valve and let the steam flow until

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 rate of condensation of steam becomes constant.
5.1.4. Switch on the blower to the tunnel with the sample
compartment empty.
5.1.5. Measure the exit (dry bulb) temperature and the velocity of
the heated air every 2 minutes until both becomes constant.

5.2 Process

5.2.1. Place a layer of dry solids approximately 1 cm thick in the

tray. Record the weight of the dry solids.
5.2.2. Saturate the solids with water and record the weight of wet
solids. Place the tray in the drier.
5.2.3. After about 10 minutes, remove the tray in the drier. Weigh
quickly and return to the drier. Take note of the outlet
temperature of air (dry bulb and wet bulb), air velocity and
the exact drying time also, measure the humidity of the air
leaving the drier.
5.2.4. Repeat step 3 until there is no further change in the weight of
the solid sample.
5.2.5. Perform second and third trials using fresh solid sample for
each trial.

5.3 Shutdown

5.3.1. Initialize boiler shutdown. (NOTE: shutdown of boiler must be

initialize when all the other steam consumers are done with
the experiment.)
5.3.2. Let the blower operate continuously for about 15 minutes
with the boiler shut.
5.3.3. Check the condensate outlet. Keep to open until no more
condensate is coming out. Tap the pipe gently, when no
condensate drops, close the steam inlet and outlet valves.
5.3.4. Switch off the blower.
5.3.5. Put the dried sand away. Clean the tray and the solid sample
compartment.

VI. REFERENCES
Geankoplis, Christi J. (1995), Transport Processes and Unit Operations,
3rd edition, Singapore: Prentice Hall International Inc.

Drying, [Online]
http://www.nzifst.org.nz/unitoperations/drying1.htm#httransfer [November
2016]

Solids Drying, [Online] http://www.chemengonline.com/solids-drying

basics-and-applications/?printmode=1 [November 2016]

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