Improving dryer energy efficiency and controllability simultaneously by process modification
article
This work establishes a relationship between dryer energy performance and controllability using energy balances and process resiliency analysis. It is shown that using the process gain matrix, the dryer energy efficiency can be reliably calculated with conditions for simultaneous controllability improvement established. By incorporating a drying rate modifying system such as a desiccant dehumidifier as an add-on, these conditions are shown to be achievable due to the extra dehumidification which can be manipulated using the additional degrees of freedom introduced by the sorption system. Due to the adsorbent regulation properties which are enhanced by high-temperature regeneration, the resilience of energy performance to disturbances is significantly improved compared to conventional dryers. Also, a desiccant system performance indicator, the "adsorber-regenerator net energy efficiency ARNEE" is introduced and it is shown that energy efficiency improvement is possible only if the ARNEE is greater than the energy efficiency of the stand-alone dryer. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.
Topics
TNO Identifier
482944
ISSN
00981354
Source
Computers and Chemical Engineering, 59, pp. 138-144.
Pages
138-144
Files
To receive the publication files, please send an e-mail request to TNO Repository.