Unit 6

CONVECTION DRYING

1. OBJECTIVE
Investigate the convection drying process by experiment to:
1. Construct the drying curve and rate-of-drying curve
2. Determine drying specifications: constant-rate drying, critical humidity, equilibrium moisture
content, constant-rate drying time, and deceleration.
3. Evaluation of the error of the drying process.

2. THEORY

2.1. Definition
Convection drying is the process of separating moistủe from materials by heating the moist to
evaporate. In which, both the heat transfer and moist transfer are processed by the convection method.

2.2. Characteristics of the drying process

The drying process is extremely complicated and characterize for irreversibility and instability. It
simultaneously happens 4 processes: heat transfer for the material, moisture transmission inside the
material, phase change and moisture separation into the surrounding

2.3. Determination of the drying rate according to the heat balance of drying process
The amount of heat provided by the drying agent flow in a period of time d:
dQ = .F.(t – )d (1)
This heat is used to:
Heat the material: (G0C0 + GaCa)d (2)
Moisture evaporation and steam superheated: [r + Ch(t – th)]dGa (3)
In which:
: coefficient of heat transfer from the drying agent to the drying material, W/m2 degree.
F: material surface, m2.
t, , th: temperature of drying agent, material and saturated moisture, degree.
G0, C0: mass and specific heat of the drying material, kg; J/kg degree.
Ga, Ca: mass and specific heat of the moisture, kg; J/kg degree.
r: latent heat of vaporization of moisture, J/kg.
Ch: specific heat of moisture, J/kg degree.
Amount of moisture evaporated in time d:
dGa = d(G0U) = G0dU (4)

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 U: moisture equation (or moisture content) of the material, in terms of dry material, kg
moisture/kg dry material.
From (1), (2), (3) và (4), construct the heat balance equation:
.F.(t – )d = (G0C0 + GaCa)d + G0[r + Ch(t – th)]dU (5)
From (5):
d
 F (t −  ) − [G0C0 + GaCa ]
dU
= d (6)
d Gv  r + Ch (t − th ) 
dU
This is the drying rate equation , bases on heat balance.
d

2.4. The basic equation of the kinematics of the drying process

According to the equation of moisture transfer from the material to the drying agent:
dGa = kpF(pm - p) d (7)
Với kp: the moisture transfer coefficient in the gas phase, kg/m2.h.p = 1 (1at hay 1mmHg, …).
pm, p: the pressure of moisture on the surface of the material and in the gas phase, mmHg (at).
Replace Ga = G0U in (7) and mutate, we have:
dU k p F
= ( pm − p ) (8)
d G0
When the moisture is not overheated (which mean t = th) , equation (5) becomes:
 Ga  d dU dQ
 C0 + Ca  G0 + rG0 = F = qF (9)
 G0  d d Fd
q: heat flow intensity or heat flow density,
Ga G0 V0
Set: =U ; = 0 ; C0 + CaU = C và = R0
G0 V0 F
In which:
0: density of dry material, kg/m3.
V0: volume of dry material, m3.
C: specific heat capacity of wet materials, J/kg degree.
R0: conversion radius of the material, m.
Then, if we ignore the heat that superheats the moisture, we have:
dU d   C  d   dU 
q =  0 R0 r + C  0 R0 = 1 +      0 R0 r 
d d   r  dU   d 
(10)
dU
= (1 + Rb )(  0 R0 r )
d

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 C d
In which Rb = 1 + : The standard Rebinde number characterizes the kinematics of the drying
r dU
process.
(10) is the basic equation of drying kinematics, which indicates the change in moisture content of the
material over time. We can get equation (10) when solving the system of differential equations
describing heat transfer - moisture transfer in materials. But in general, this system of equations cannot
be solved analytically.

2.5. The amount of heat supplied to the material during the deceleration drying stage (q2)
Besides, we see that during the deceleration drying, the rate-of-drying curve is straight, so the
drying rate in this stage is shown:

= K (U − U * )
dU
− (11)
d
K: ratio coefficient, or the drying coefficient. It depends on the drying rate and the properties
of the damp material, 1/s. K is the slope of the rate-of-drying curve at the deceleration drying stage,
so:
N
K= = N
(Uth − U * )
(12)

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= : relative drying coefficient, depending on the wet material properties.
U th − U *
Uth: critical humidity.
U*: balanced humidity.
N: constant-rate drying rate, kg ẩm/(kg vật liệu khô.s).
Integrating equation (11), we get:
U −U *
= exp ( −  N ) (13)
U th − U *
Or logarithmically (8), we have:
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lg(U − U * ) = lg(U th − U * ) −  N (14)
2,3
Thus, if the drying coefficient K is known, it is possible to determine the time required to perform the
deceleration drying stage.
The relative drying coefficient is determined experimentally and can be approximately calculated:
1,8
= (15)
U0
In which U0: initial moisture of the material.
From that, we have:
1 U0
U th = +U * = +U * (16)
 1,8

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 Substituting (12) and (15) into equation (11), we get:
dU  U −U * 
− = 1,8 N   (17)
d  U0 
Substituting (17) into (10), we get:
 U −U * 
q2 = 0 R0 r (1 + Rb).1,8 N   (18)
 U0 

2.6. The amount of heat supplied to the material during constant-rate drying stage (q1)
In the constant-rate drying stage, the total heat supplied from the agent stream is equal to the amount
of heat of moisture evaporation and the material temperature remains constant, so:
dU
q1 = 0 R0 r =  0 R0 rN (19)
d

2.7. Heat exchanger intensity (q(x))

q2 U −U *
q( x) = = 1,8 (1 + Rb) (20)
q1 U0
Thus, according to equation (20), by knowing the standard number Rb we can calculate the intensity
of heat exchange according to the moisture content of the material.

2.8. Drying curve and rate-of-drying curve

Figure 1: Drying curve

AB – Heating material;
C B BC – Constant-rate drying;
N
4 5 CD – Falling-rate drying.
1 1 – Drying curve
2 3
2 – Material temperature curve

A
U U U U
u

u
A B 4
t D
2
 A
U U U U
u

u
A B
t D
2

t C
B
t C 1 D
A
u


Figure 2: Rate-of-drying curve

AB – Heat the material BC – Constant-rate-drying; CD – Falling-rate drying.

1 – Thin plate materials, foam: Paper, paperboard, ...

2 – colloidal material; 3 – porous material;

4 – Porous colloidal material: with inflection point (changes moisture transport mechanism)

5 – Materials with breaking point (2nd critical point)

2.8.1 Drying curve

Is the curve showing the change of material moisture (U) with drying time ():
U = f() (21)
Type of the drying curve:
Depends on many factors such as: bond between moisture and material, shape; size; Material structure,
method and drying mode.
The drying curve is a function of the drying process. Therefore, although the drying mode and method
are different, the drying curve is similar.

2.8.2. Rate-of-drying curve

Rate-of-drying curve is a curve showing the relationship between the drying rate and the moisture
content (moisture content) of the drying material:
dU
= g (U ) (22)
d

From equation (22) and (23), it is clear that the rate-of-drying curve is the derivative of the drying
curve.

2.9. Stages of the drying process:

2.9.1. Material heating stage (AB):

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This stage occurs rapidly with an insignificantly short duration. All the heat supplied by the agent
stream is used to heat the material from the initial temperature (0) to wet bulb temperature (tư) (Figure
1).
In this stage, the amount of moisture separated is insignificant, the moisture content of the material is
not reduced much and the drying speed increases rapidly up to the maximum value. (N). This stage is
often omitted in the calculation.

2.8.2. Constant-rate drying stage (BC)

In this stage, rate of moisture diffused from inside the material to the surface is greater than the rate of
moisture evaporation from the material surface, so the material surface is always in a moisture-
saturated state.
The total amount of heat supplied to evaporate the moisture in the material surface (free moisture) and
the evaporating surface which is the outer surface of the material remains constant, so the following
drying parameters will remain constant: material surface temperature. drying rate; the moisture content
of the material will decrease rapidly.
Drying time in this stage (constant-rate drying time - 1) is determined through:
dU
− = N1 = const (23)
d
By integrating (23) we have:
U 0−U th
1 = (24)
N1
In which Uth: is the critical humidity, the humidity at the end of the constant-rate drying stage.

2.8.3. Falling-rate drying stage (BC)

Since all the surface moisture has evaporated, only the bonded moisture remains, so the evaporating
surface is gradually narrowed down to the inside of the material.
The slow rate of moisture diffusion in the material reduces the overall rate.
In this stage, if the rate-of-drying curve has the linear model ( or can be converted to the linear equation:
– N2 = ax + b), we can integrate the function to calculate the drying time of this falling-rate drying
stage. (2):
U th − U * U th − U *
1 = ln (25)
N1 U2 −U *
In which U*: equilibrium humidity, the humidity ends the falling-rate drying stage.

2.10. Drying time

Drying time of material can be calculated by the total time of 3 drying stage: material heating stage
0, constant-rate drying 1 và falling-rate drying 2. The material heating stage can be omitted, as this
is very rapid. The expression for calculating the drying time is as follows:
U 0 − U th 2,3 U th − U * 
 = 1 +  2 = + ( th )  U − U * 
U − U *
lg (26)
N N  2 

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Với U2: moisture content of the material at the end of the drying process, corresponding to (2). U2 >
U* and is usually taken: U2 = U* + 2 3 (%)

3. EQUIPMENTS – APPARATUSES AND DRYING MATERIAL

3.1. Equipment - Apparatuses

The drying system includes:
1) Calorife: consists of four beams of dry resistors, with a capacity of 10KW and temperature-
stabilized by an auto-shutoff thermostat.
2) Exhaust fan: has speed of 0,85m/s, use to to draw air and blow through the calorife to raise the
agent stream temperature to the required temperature.
3) Scale system: determine the amount of moisture removed from the drying material.
4) Two air inlets: with a leaf valve, to change agent flow.
5) Temperature measurement system: consists of two dry-bulb temperature probes - wet-bulb
temperature probes placed in the drying chamber, on the left of the grid to place the drying
material.

NOTATION:

1. Air inlet
2. Fan
3. Electrical calorife
4. Monitor
5. Dry-bulb temperature probes
6. Wet-bulb temperature probes
7. Drying chamber
8. Scale
9. Dashboard
10. Observation door
11. Gas outlet

Flowing agent

Figure 3: Schematic diagram of the convection drying system

3.2. Materials
Includes 3 stacks of filter paper.
Dimensions: 39.5x20.5 cm

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4. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

4.1. Content
Drying the filter paper in 3 modes: the temperature of the drying agent is 500C, 600C và 700C..
Place the filter paper in the drying chamber, and record the mass of the material after wetting (G1).
Then every 5 minutes (500C drying mode), record the weight value and two values of the dry bulb and
wet bulb temperature.
Continue until the value of material mass remains constant within 3 times, then stop this test mode and
switch to another test mode. 600C drying mode: 3 minutes; 700C drying mode: 2 minutes, read
weighing value and temperature.

4.2. Procedure

4.2.1. Before operation

Before doing the experiment, students must observe the drying system and check with the diagram in
the textbook.
Find the location of: gas inlet, fan, calorife, temperature-controlled system, dry-bulb and wet-bulb
temperature probes, mesh truss place filter paper, temperature gauge and air outlet.

Electrical system: look for fan switches, calorife, electrical switches on the temperature control box.

4.2.2. Experimental preparation

1) Determine the initial mass of dry material (G0) of 2 stacks of filter paper:
✓ Open the door of the drying chamber and carefully place it on the table (because the door is
quite heavy).
✓ Put filter paper into the drying chamber: gently place each stack of filter paper on the drying
grid inside the drying chamber (put all three stacks). Then the needle of the scale will
oscillate. Wait for the needle to stop oscillating and read the scale value (G0).
2) Moisten the filter paper:
✓ Take about 2/3 of the volume of water of the bucket.
✓ After weighing, remove the filter paper and gently dip it into the water bucket. Wait for the
water to absorb the paper evenly, and take the filter paper to dry it in the air (on the window
bars) until all the water not drip.
3) Prepare a wristwatch to measure time..
4) Check the system:
✓ Reinstall the door of the drying chamber, and tighten the door slats;
✓ Open all the leaf valves of the two gas inlet and gas outlet;
✓ Fill the water bulb (behind the system, not the counterweight cups on the scale) to measure
the wet bulb temperature.

4.2.3. Start the system

1) Start the fan:
Turn on the fan switch to draw the agent stream in and blow through the caloriphe that heats
the agent stream.
2) Start the calorife:
Turn on the calorife to conduct the lectric into the control box. Turn the switch of the resistor
beam R1 to ON. In the 700C temperature mode add the switch of the resistor beam R2.

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 Temperature setting for calorife:
On the control box set the temperature and set the required temperature. The electronic meter
on the setting box indicates the temperature of the air after leaving the calorife.

4.2.4. Do the experiment

1) Wait for the system to work stably:
✓ The calorife temperature reaches the desired value (  120C);
✓ Drying filter paper does not drip.
2) Drying the materials in the investigating mode:
✓ Open the door of the drying chamber – place the door on the table
✓ Gently place each stack of filter paper on the drying nets
✓ Close the drying chamber

4.3. Measure data in a test mode

4.3.1. Data measurement: mass, dry bulb temperature (Tk), wet bulb temperature (Tư) and time.

4.3.2. Measurement
Weight (grams): When the filter paper is placed in the drying chamber, the needle of the scale
will oscillate (weighing includes two needles, only reading along the thin needle wire without
reading the large needle), waiting for the needle to stop oscillation, read the number that the
needle wire coincide. If the needle is between two numbers, add them and divide them by two.
In one test mode, to measure the data accurately, students need to pay attention to:
✓ When drying the filter paper outside, you must wait until the water stop dripping to start the
test mode to determine G1 accurately.
✓ How to place the filter paper on the drying grid: place in the direction that the filter paper folds
from left to right (in the direction of the agent) and place it flatly without any corners. Do not
place reverse, because then the blowing agent will blow through the filter paper (because the
filter paper is doubled) change the evaporation surface leading to the drying parameters will
change and eventually cause the experimental error.
4.4. Swiching experimental mode
✓ Open the drying chamber, take out the filter paper and moisten it again (repeat).
✓ Set the calorife temperature to the next value for the new drying.
✓ Wait for the system to work stably.
✓ Repeat the same sequence as the first mode.

4.5. Note-warning during the drying process

✓ Always check the operation of the thermostat to see if the set temperature value is correct. In
case in high temperature drying mode but caloriphe temperature does not reach the set value,
the outlet air outlet must be closed (only half-closed, not closed).;
✓ The gas inlet and outlet must always be open and not closed;
✓ Fill the water bulb continuously to measure the wet bulb temperature.;
✓ Do not open the ceiling fan in the experiment because it will cause the balance needle to
oscillate (fan number 7 on the electric dashboard at the entrance to the laboratory.).

4.6. End of experiment

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 4.6.1. Calorife
Turn off the switches of the resistive beams on the control box.

4.6.2. Fan
✓ After turning of the calorife 5 minutes, contiuosly turn the fan off
✓ Open the drying batch, get the filter paper out and close the batch.
✓ Once again, check the system and clean the experimental area, laboratory.
✓ Turn of the power supply circuit breaker.

5. EXPERIMENTAL RESULT
Raw data
Drying mode at 500C Drying mode at 600C Drying mode at 700C
 (h) G (g) Tư Tk  (h) G (g) Tư Tk  (h) G (g) Tư Tk

6. REFERENCES
[1] Đỗ Văn Đài và các tác giả,"Cơ sở quá trình và thiết bị trong công nghiệp hóa học”
[2] Nguyễn Văn Lụa, “QT &TB trong CNHH - Tập 7 - Kỹ thuật sấy Vật liệu",
ĐH Bách Khoa, Tp. HCM.
[3] Võ Văn Bang-Vũ Bá Minh, “QT&TB trong CNHH - Tập 3 - Truyền Khối", NXB. ĐH Quốc gia
Tp.HCM.
[4] Các tác giả, "Giáo trình Phương pháp tính", NXB. ĐH Quốc gia Tp.HCM.
[5] Các tác giả, “Sổ tay Quá trình và Thiết bị tập 1& 2", ĐHBK Hà Nội;
[6] Các tác giả, "Quá trình & Thiết bị - Ví dụ tập 10", ĐHQG Tp.HCM.

7. PREPARATION QUESTIONS
1) Definition of Convection Drying?
2) What are heat transfer and moisture transfer by convection?
3) Name the drying methods that you have studied? what factors are used to classify drying
methods?
4) What processes occur when drying the material?
5) How many stages does the drying process have? Temperature characteristics of each stage?
6) What are the purposes of the experiment? What are the significance of the investigation in the
experiment?

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7) Plot and point out the significance of drying curve? How many methods are there from the
drying curve to construct the rate-of-drying curve?
8) Plot and point out the significance of the rate-of-drying curve?
9) What factors affect the drying process? What factors does this experiment examine and fix?
10) What is a drying agent? Name the types of drying agents? What drying agent is used in this
article? Why?
11) Definition of dry bulb temperature? How to measure dry bulb temperature? Is the dry bulb
temperature the drying agent temperature? Why?
12) Definition of wet bulb temperature? How to measure wet bulb temperature? Is the wet bulb
temperature the dew point temperature? Why?
13) What is the meaning of dry bulb - wet bulb temperature measurement? How to use the Humid
Air State Diagram?
14) What is drying? What does dry mean?
15) What is the driving force of the drying process?
16) State and explain the quantities in the basic equation of the dynamics of the drying process?
17) What is the characteristic numerical standard for the kinematics of the drying process?
Meaning?
18) Types of moisture bonding? What kind of moisture does the drying process usually remove?
19) Briefly describe the experiment. How many modes does the experiment investigate? What
parameters does each mode measure? Why?
20) When does the drying process end? How to know?
21) What are the relationships between the drying parameters?
22) What is the drying material in the experiment? Why not use other materials such as wood,
sand, cardboard, ...?
23) In the experiment, calculation and processing of the obtained results, which errors are often
made? Methods to calculate error in this experiment?
24) In order to process experimental data accurately, which method should be used to reduce the
error?
25) Are the parameters in the experiment calculated according to theory or experiment?

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