Comparison and evaluation of recently reported methods for optimization of industrial drying regimes

Abstract

In our previous studies we have presented the calculation method along with the procedure for setting up the non isothermal drying regime. Even though this method is harmonized, with the theory of moisture migration during drying and can be used to predict the optimal industrial drying regime and proper drying air parameters, up till now it was not compared with other models. The main goal of this paper, was to compare and evaluate our model with the one reported by the German group of authors in 2008. The first task was to create criteria for model evaluation. Five parameters were chosen: non-existence of cracks, total drying time, twist coefficient, chamber coefficient and flexural strength. The second task was to create a software tool, for modeling the first and second drying section of green clay masonry element, using the instructions provided within the published articles. The third task was to apply German and our procedure on the same clay raw material. Results have shown the absence of cracks on dried and fired samples. In the case of German method total drying time, as well as twist and camber coefficients were higher while the physico - mechanical properties were lower. Presented results have additionally validated that our dying model can be used for the accurate prediction of industrial drying kinetics and a reliable estimation of moisture transport during drying.