The Design, Fabrication and Preliminary Testing of the Laboratory-Scale Continuous Rotary Dryer

Author : Bay, Robelyn Manalo
Major Adviser : Demafelis, Rex B.
Committee Members :
Year : 1991
Month : March
Type : Thesis
Degree: BS
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Abstract

A laboratory scale continuous rotary dryer was designed, fabricated and tested for its potential in agriculture. The test material used was paddy.

Aside from the characteristic feature, which is the flight system, other special features of the design are: (1) direct heating by steam-heated air; and (2) countercurrent flow of forced hot air and material to be dried.

Under the designed operating conditions, an average moisture removal of 5.08% was achieved from an initial moisture content of 20% and a drying time of 50 minutes. This result approached the moisture level of 13.3%, established basis from the batch drying test.

Preliminary testing of the designed dryer included varying the feed flow rate, drum’s speed of rotation and the angle of inclination. Results from the above variations were not very conclusive as showed by some inconsistent data. However, the following were observed: (1) higher loading resulted in lower moisture removal which can be due to “kiln action” effect; (2) increase in the drum speed of rotation resulted to a maximized lifting and showering action; and (3) lower drum inclination increases the retention time, hence increasing the drying efficiency.

Further testing is strongly recommended.


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