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ABSTRACT
This article reports the incorporation of a rotary desiccant wheel unit into an air recirculated convective dryer and testing it by drying corn kernels. Experiments were conducted with and without the desiccant wheel at air temperatures of 50, 60, and 70°C and flow rates of 1, 1.4, and 1.8 kg/min. The effect of drying temperature, air flow rate, and desiccant wheel on drying time, drying rate, energy consumption, and specific moisture extraction rate were investigated. Statistical analysis of data showed that air drying temperature and air flow rate had significant effects on drying time and drying rate and the effect of desiccant wheel on drying time was significant. Results indicated that a desiccant wheel is an economical and useful system to utilize in dryers because it decreases drying time while increasing the drying rate and has a positive influence on energy consumption.