Experimental study of the silica gel drying in a fluidized bed apparatus

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, the design and principle of operation of the dryer with a centrifugal fluidized bed is considered. It is a batch apparatus with a vertical drying agent supply and is intended for drying dispersed materials with a particle diameter from 1 to 5 mm, having a high initial moisture content and a strong moisture and solid dry frame bond. Silica gel with a particle diameter from 2.2 to 2.5 mm, used for drying air and industrial gases, was used as a drying object. The scheme of the test bench is given and described. The results of an experimental study of the process of low-temperature drying of silica gel (the temperature of the drying agent ranged from 35 to 65 °C) are presented. The obtained experimental data is presented as a dependence of the thermophysical parameters of the material and the drying agent on the drying time. The comparison of drying efficiency at different modes is given. On the basis of the obtained data, a positive conclusion about the possibility of using this apparatus for low-temperature drying of capillary-porous bodies is made.