Granular material drying and energy analysis of a scaled-up rotating fluidized bed dryer of fixed geometry

Abstract

The present investigation is focused on the grain drying in a scaled-up rotating fluidized bed in static geometry (RFB-SG) dryer, and then gradual cooling of the dried hot grains in the temperature stabilization unit (TSU). A freshly harvested crop in abundance seeks massive energy consumption in the drying process. Hence, to minimize these losses, energy-exergy analysis of grain-drying, for the inventory of 500 to 3000 g paddy, at temperature of 328–338 K and AFR 400–600 m3/h. It is observed that with the increase of drying air velocity and drying temperature positively affect both the production rate and production cost. Due reduction in drying time, cost, and energy requirement, the drying efficiency is improved. The energy utilization is found to be maximum of 3.52 kJ/s, at the AFR of 600 m3/h and the temperature of 338 K. Furthermore, the time of temperature stabilization of dried grains is observed 38 s with no effect on the nutritional value of the grains.