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3.2 Drying kinetics
By modeling the drying curve, the limiting moisture content, the equilibrium moisture content and the heat and mass transfer coefficient for EFB in the drying kinetics, Q and the drying rate can be known and the energy consumption required for EFB drying can be predicted.
3.2.1 Drying curve
The drying process goes through several stages of drying. First, the solid is heated by a heat source like hot air. Then the moisture on the surface of the solid is evaporated, which is called the constant rate drying period. The drying rate is also the same regardless of the material if the drying conditions are the same because the moisture on the surface of the material evaporates. When the moisture on the surface of the material is removed, the moisture inside the solid is evaporated. This period is called the falling rate drying period, and the point at which the rate changes from the constant rate drying period to the falling rate drying period is called the critical moisture content. When drying continues, the moisture of the dry air equilibrates with the moisture of the solid and no more moisture evaporates. This point is called the equilibrium moisture content. Since the particle structure inside the material affects the drying rate during the falling rate drying period, the material has different drying curves in the falling rate drying period. In order to more accurately predict the evaporative behavior of EFB, we reflected a falling rate drying curve for the EFB on Aspen Plus.