Low-Pressure Superheated Steam Drying—Vacuum Drying of a Porous Media and the Inversion Temperature

Abstract

This article deals with comparative study of low-pressure superheated steam drying (LPSSD) and vacuum drying using coal particles as model material. The focus is made on the inversion temperature, which means that the drying rate in the two drying processes becomes equal. This temperature is of great importance because it allows the choice of drying agent for given operating conditions. The effect of external and internal parameters on the drying kinetics and the inversion temperature were investigated. Several studies have shown discrepancies of inversion temperature values basing on the constant rate period (CRP) and the falling rate period (FRP). This work points out gaps in these temperature values using the two calculation methods.

Keywords:

• Mathematical modeling
• Porous media
• Vacuum drying