Example 4.

1
A wet solid is dried from 25 to 10 percent moisture under constant drying conditions
in 15ks (4.17hr). if the critical and the equilibrium moisture contents are 15 and 5
per cent respectively, how long will it take to dry the solid from 30 to 8 per cent
mositure under the same conditions?

Solution
For the first drying operation

wI = 0.25kg/kg,
w = 0.10kg/kg, wc = 0/15kg/kg
we = 0.05kg/kg
Thus

fI = (wI – we) = (0.25 – 0.05) = 0.20

fc = (wc – we) = (0.15 – 0.05) = 0.10kg/kg
f = (w – we) = (0.10 – 0.05) = 0.05kg/kg

from equation 4.8, total drying time is;

t = (1/mA) [(f1 – fc)/fc + In (fc/f)]

15 = 1 [(0.20-0.10)/0.10+In 0.10 ]
mA 0.05

and mA = 0.0667 (1.0 + 0.693)

= 0.113kg/s

For the second drying operation:

wI = 0.30kg/kg, w = 0.08kg/kg,
wc = 0.15kg/kg and we = 0.05kg/kg

Thus:
fI = (wI – we) = (0.30 – 0.05) = 0.25kg/kg
fc = (wc – we) = (0.15 – 0.05) = 0.10kg/kg
f = (w – we) = (0.08 – 0.05) = 0.03kg/kg

from equation 4.8, total drying time is;

t = (1/mA) [(f1 – fc)/fc + In (fc/f)]

15 = 1 [(0.20-0.10)/0.10+In 0.10 ]
mA 0.05

and mA = 0.0667 (1.0 + 0.693)

= 0.113kg/s

For the second drying operation:

wI = 0.30kg/kg, w = 0.08kg/kg,
wc = 0.15kg/kg and we = 0.5kg/kg

Thus:

fI = (wI – we) = (0.30 – 0.05) = 0.25kg/kg

fc = (wc – we) = (0.15 – 0.05) = 0.10kg/kg
f = (w – we) = (0.08 – 0.05) = 0.03kg/kg

the total drying time is then;

t = (1/0.113)[(0.25 – 0.10)/0.10 + In 0.10

0.03
= 8.856(1.5 + 1.204)

t = 23.9ks (6.65hrs)

Example 4.2

A granular material containing 40 per cent moisture is fed to a countercurrent rotary

dryer ar a temperature of 295k and is withdrawn at 305k containing 5 percent
moisture. The air supplied which contains 0.006kg water vapor/kg dry air enters at
385k and leaves at 310k. the dryer handles 0.125kg/s wet stock. Assuming that
radiation losses amount to 20 KJ/kg dry air used, determine the mass flow rate of
dry air supplied to the dryer and the humidity of the exit air. The latent heat of water
vapor at 295k = 249kj/kg specific heat capacity of dried material = 0.88kj/kg, the
speicifc heat capacity of dry air = 1.00kj/kg k, and the specific heat capacity of
water vapour = 2.01kJ/kgK.

Solution
This example involves a heat balance over the system 273k will be chosen as the
datum temperature and it will be assumed that the flow rate of dry air = G kg/s

Heat in:
(a) Air
G kg/s dry air enter with 0.006
G kg/s water vapor and hence the heat content of this stream = [(1.00G) + (0.006 G
x 2.01)](385 – 273) = 113.35 G KW

(B) Wet Solid

0.125kg/s enter containing 0.40kg water/kg wet solid, assuming the moisture is
expressed on a wet basis.

Thus:
Mass flowrate of water = (0.125 x 0.40)
= 0.050 kg/s
And Mass flowrate of dry solid = (0.125-0.05)
 = 0.075kg/s

Hence:
The heat content of this stream
= [(0.050 x 4.18) + (0.075 x 0.88)] (295 – 273)
= 6.05KW

Heat out:
(a) Air
Heat in exit air = [(1.00G) + (0.006G x 2.01)](310 – 273)
= 37.45G KW.

Mass flowrate of dry solids = 0.075kg/s containing 0.05 kg water/kg wet solid.
Hence:

Water in the dried solid leaving = (0.05 x 0.075)/(1 + 0.05)= 0.0036

and
The water evaporated into gas stream = (0.050 – 0.0036) = 0.0464kg/s

Assuming evaporation takes place at 295K, then:

Heat in the water vapor
= 0.0464 [(2.01 (310 – 295) + 2449 + 4.18 (295 – 273)]
= 119.3KW

And
The total heat in this stream = (119.30 + 37.45G) kW

(b) Dried Solids

The dried solids contain 0.0036kg/s water and hence heat content of this stream is:

= (0.075 x 0.88) + (0.0036 x 4.18)

(305 – 275)

= 2.59KW

(c) Losses
These amount to 20KJ/kg dry air or 20m kW

Heat balance
(113.35G + 6.05) = (119.30 + 37.45G + 2.59 + 20G)

G = 2.07kg/s

And
Water in the outlet air stream = (0.006 x 2.07) + 0.0464 = 0.0588kg/s
and
The humidity = (0.0588/2.07)
= 0.0284kg/kg dry air

Classification of Dryers
Dryers can be classified based on the following criterion:

Criterion Types
1. Mode of operation Batch or continuous

2. Heat input type convection conduction, radiation,

Electromagnetic folds, combination of
heat transfer modes, Adiabatic or non-
adeabative

3. State of material in dryer Stationary, Moving agitated,

dispersed

4. Operating pressure Vacuum, Atmospheric

5. Drying Medium (Convection) Air, Superheated steam,

fluegases

6. Drying tempeature Below boiling temperature, above

boiling temp, Below freezing point

7. Relative motion btw. Drying Co-current, Countercurrent,Mixed

Medium & Solids flow

8. Number of stages Single, Multistage Short (<1min),

Medium (1 -60min) Long (>60min)