Simulation of the High Temperature Drying of a Pasty Product: On the Influence of the Local Air Flow and the Thermal Radiation

Abstract

This article deals with modeling and simulation of the industrial drying and calcination of a previously centrifuged pasty product. An experimental approach of this product is first carried out in terms of both product solvent content and product temperature during drying; using a previously designed devoted drying pilot system. An empirical model describing the product drying kinetics as a function of the industrial relevant controlled parameters is then derived. This model is based on the distinction of the convective power and radiative power supplies influence on the isenthalpic drying mass flux value; for this reason, it is suitable to up-scale the experimental product drying behavior from the pilot geometry to the industrial drier-calcinator geometry. This up-scaling approach, when combined with a classic mass and energy drying model, leads to derive a predictive tool for the product evolution in this industrial system.

Keywords:

• Drying process
• High temperatures
• Pasty product
• Heat and mass transfer modeling
• Up-scaling