Unit Operation Laboratory BSK3472

EXPERIMENT 2
PSYCHROMETRICS OF DRYING

OBJECTIVE
To plot the drying process on psychometric chart and use the results to perform a basic mass
balance on the air.

SUMMARY OF THEORY
A mass flow rate of heater air ( ) passing over trays of a wet solid picks up a mass flow rate of
water ( ).
= (1 2 ) [2]

where W1 and W2 are specific humidity of air at sections 1 and 2, respectively.

1 2

Air Flow
Heater

Figure 2: Tray Drier Model

Also,
= (kg/h.m2) (m2)
= [3]

Where, = measured air velocity

= cross sectional area of duct
1 = air density at local temperature

Faculty of Industrial Sciences & Technology, UMP

 Unit Operation Laboratory BSK3472

EQUIPMENT / APPARATUS
Tray Dryer Unit

MATERIALS
Sand
Water

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
1. Sufficient dry sample to fill the three trays to a depth of 10 mm each should be accurately
weighed before being saturated with water. The sample should be drained of excess free
water before being loaded evenly and smoothly on the drying trays, taking care to avoid any
spillage. The total weight of the wet sample should be noted before drying commences.

2. At some arbitrary time (t=0), switch on and select the fan speed control to 2.0 m/sec and
heater power control to maximum, letting them remain constant throughout the experiment
and record the temperature and relative humidity.

3. Record the total weight of sample in the trays at regular intervals until drying is complete.

RESULT & DISCUSSION

Air velocity = __________________ m/s
Weight of dry sand = __________________ kg

Time (mins) 0
Temperature 1 (C)
Temperature 2 (C)
Relative humidity 1 (%)
Relative humidity 2 (%)
Wet sand weight (kg)
Moisture content, XE
2

weight of wet sand weight of dry sand [4]

XE = =

Faculty of Industrial Sciences & Technology, UMP

 Unit Operation Laboratory BSK3472

From the results, plot the drying curve relating moisture content as a function of time and
differentiate data from this curve to produce the drying rate-moisture content curve:

C B

Drying Rate (kg/h.m2)

A
D

Moisture Content,

Figure 3: Drying Curves

Plot the humidity-temperature path (1,2,3) on a psychrometric chart for any selected point during
the constant period and use the measurements of (W3, W2) to evaluate Mw.

Figure 4: Psychrometric Chart

Compare the result with that calculated from the drying rate at the same point in time. Comment
3
upon the results obtained and account for any significant different between the respective values.

Faculty of Industrial Sciences & Technology, UMP

 Unit Operation Laboratory BSK3472

EXPERIMENTAL DATA SHEET

Sample = _____________________
Fan speed = _____________________
Heater power = _____________________
Area of tray = _____________________
Weight of dry sample = _____________________
Ambient temperature = _____________________

Time Mass Moisture Drying Temperature Temperature Relative Relative

(min) of wet content, rate 1 2 humidity humidity
sample XE, (kg/h.m2) (C) (C) 1 (%) 2 (%)
(kg)

Faculty of Industrial Sciences & Technology, UMP

 Unit Operation Laboratory BSK3472

Faculty of Industrial Sciences & Technology, UMP

 Unit Operation Laboratory BSK3472

Faculty of Industrial Sciences & Technology, UMP

 Unit Operation Laboratory BSK3472

Faculty of Industrial Sciences & Technology, UMP