A STUDY OF VACUUM FREEZE-DRYING OF FROZEN WET PAPERS

Abstract

Vacuum freeze-drying of frozen wet papers was investigated experimentally. A freeze-drying facility was built to study the process by monitoring the various physical parameters (pressure, sample temperature, heater temperature, water content of the sample and cold panel temperature). A simple phenomenological model was developed to explain experimental results. The values of the physical parameters were optimized to make the process cost effective.

Keywords:

• Moisture
• Vacuum freeze-drying
• Wet paper

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study was funded by the Walloon Region DGTRE department. It was combined with a study of gaseous disinfection of damaged wet papers.