International Conference on Recent Advances in Mechanical Engineering and Interdisciplinary Developments [ICRAMID - 2014]

An Expatiate View of Solid Clay Based Desiccant

Mould with Varying Void Fraction on Absorption
Mohan Ram P
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
K. S. Rangasamy College of Technology,
Tiruchengode, Namakkal (Dt)

Shanmugam V
Professor and Dean
Mahendra Engineering College,
Tiruchengode (TK), Namakkal (DT).
v_shanmugam63@yahoo.co.in

Abstract Experimental stsudy on moisture absorption of solid

clay based desiccant mould with varying void fraction is
presented in this work. Solid desiccant moulds of three types by
varying void fraction with the composition of 10% cement, 10%
of calcium chloride, 20% vermiculite with particle size of 5mm
and above and 60% of bentonite were prepared and tested under
uniform conditions in the drying chamber. The results show that
the moisture absorbtion capacity of the mould is significantly
affected when the void fraction is changed.
Keywords: Solid Desiccant, Desiccant materials, Vermiculite
particle size, void fraction

I. INTRODUCTION
Vegetables and fruits are easily subjected to quality
degradation because the moisture content initially present in
them is very high. They get spoiled if they are not properly
dried it will lead to the level of spoilage [1]. The process of
heat transfer to the product and mass transfer of moisture from
the product to the surroundings until the product reaches its
equilibrium moisture content is called as drying. The different
methods can be employed for drying many substances from
solids, liquids and gases [2]. The traditional method of Sun
drying is a relatively slow process and also considerable losses
can occur [3].
Food preservation can be effectively done by small
farmers utilizing solar drying. But it is possible only during
sunshine hours. The problem of storing the energy has been
restricted by the use of solar energy during off sunshine hours.
Desiccants can be used for drying purposes because of
moisture absorption capacity of desiccants. Food products can
be dried by using both liquid and solid desiccants [4]. An
experimental test carried on magnesium perchlorate was
conducted for drying by employing exfoliated vermiculite as a
carrier base.. The physical constant of the desiccant prepared
were anhydrous magnesium perchlorate of 76.25%, Bulk
density of 9287g per Cu ft., Carrier weight of 23.75%, and the
perchlorate desiccant adsorbed 34.48% of its weight [5].
To dehumidify the dryer air, an experimental test was
conducted by using chemical desiccants has been periodically
regenerated. The test results revealed that direct solar
regeneration of silica gel is feasible and also shows increases
in moisture loss at higher air flows since mass transfer co-

Senthilkumar P
Professor and Head
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering,
K S R College Engineering
Tiruchengode 637 215
cryosenthil@yahoo.com

efficient and the humidity ratio difference increases at higher

air flows [6].
With same glazed area, two different solar desiccantdehumidification-regeneration system were developed and
tested using solid desiccant. The particle sizes in the ranges of
6-8 and 2-4mesh were used in the solid desiccant. The result
shows that both systems were efficient and energy saving
compared to traditional electric-dehumidifiers [7] .A solar
desiccant enhanced radiative cooling system consists of three
independent subsystems which were built on the upper roof and
the two sides of the conditioned house. Silica gel with the
particle size is 6-8 mesh was used in the solid desiccant. The
results reveal that both regeneration and dehumidification
processes are influenced by the solar radiation intensity and the
humidity of the processed air [8]. A silica gel adsorption unit
was integrated in a crops solar drying setup and the inclusion of
adsorption unit improved the dried product quality and reduced
the drying period to 44 from 52 hours [9].
The water evaporation from product surface can be
controlled by air humidity and temperature. The several
HVAC configurations for product drying based on desiccant
wheels was developed, in order to find systems which reach
high primary energy savings through the appropriate
integration of refrigerating machines, adsorption wheels and
cogenerative engines. It confirms that primary energy savings
could be reached about 7080% compared to the existing
technology based on a cooling coil [10]. Polyethylene glycols
with molecular weight ranging from 1000 to 80,000 g/mol was
considered for osmatic drying of gelcast alumina bodies . The
result shows that for the same osmatic pressure PEG with
molecular weight 1000 g/mol was a less effective desiccant
than the PEGs with higher molecular weights. The smaller
PEG molecules penetrated the gelled bodies and reduced the
dewatering and affect the pore structure of green bodies and
influence the sintering behavior [11].
A liquid desiccant-based dryer using an aqueous
solution of calcium chloride has higher energy efficiency
compared to conventional hot air based drying systems used in
industrial and agricultural sectors. Carryover of liquid desiccant
into the process and/or regenerated air streams is eliminated
with the novel contacting device, which has 120185% greater
surface density compared to conventional packing. The result
states that the average specific moisture extraction rate of the
liquid desiccant-based dryer is 1.5 kg/kW h of heat and also

ISBN 978-93-80609-17-1
1020

International Conference on Recent Advances in Mechanical Engineering and Interdisciplinary Developments [ICRAMID - 2014]

energy savings and resultant reduction in CO2 emissions is

about 56% compared to conventional hot air- based dryer [12].
A solid desiccants which consists of 10% cement,
10% Calcium chloride, 20% Vermiculite and 60% Bentonite
composition gave maximum moisture absorption capacity [13]
and it can be used for solar drying applications. Drying time of
green peas during off sunshine hours is considerably reduced
by using a forced convection solar drier integrated with solid
desiccant unit consisting of 10% cement, 10% Calcium
chloride, 20% Vermiculite and 60% Bentonite when compared
to the drying without desiccant bed [14]. Desiccant bed
incorporated with a reflective mirror supported the drying
process during night and improves the drying rate [15].

mixtures are then filled in the split pattern which has 115mm
height and 75mm diameter and left for a while. Then the
pattern is removed and the moulds are obtained. After making
the moulds they are processed inside the oven at 50C for 24
hours and at 200oC for the next 24 hours for drying, so that the
water used for mixing and the moisture content present in the
mould materials before mixing will be completely dried and dry
moulds are obtained.
III. SET UP TO MEASURE MOISTURE ABSORPTION

Moisture absorption capacity of a desiccant can be

influenced by the particle size 4. Amongst Bentonite, Calcium
chloride Vermiculite and cement, the particle size of
Vermiculite can be varied. Three types of moulds were
prepared and experimentally tested, the results reveal that the
desiccant mould with the vermiculite particle size of 5mm and
above gives better moisture absorption capacity [16]. By
applying uniform pressure, void fraction of desiccant mould
can be varied which will result reduction in contact surface
area to air flow.
II. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY
In this research cylindrical mould with 115mm height and
75mm diameter is chosen. The mould has the composition of
60% Bentonite, 10% Calcium chloride, 20%Vermiculite and
10% cement with vermiculite particle size 5mm and above.
A.Varying particle sizes
Vermiculite can be separated according to the size by using
sieves. Vermiculite particle size of 5mm and above are
selected to prepare the mould. Variation of particle size is
limited up to 5mm and above because if the particle size of the
Vermiculite is very large, it is difficult to maintain the stability
of the mould and also a very large size particle will break up
while preparing the mould. By using this three particle size,
three different types of moulds are prepared.

Fig. 1 Schematic of desiccant drying chamber

The Schematic of the desiccant drying chamber is shown in
Fig.. 1 which is used to measure the moisture absorption. It
consists of an electrical blower with the volume flow rate
varying from 2.7 m3/s to 3.3 m3/s and a drying chamber having
a dimension of 503030 cm3. The chamber which
accommodates the mould is insulated inside.
The base of the drying chamber is perforated with holes by
which the air passes through the converged inlet to ensure that
the flow is uniformly distributed inside the drying chamber.
Fig..2 and Fig..3 on CFD flow analysis confirms that the flow is
uniform.

Type 1: Solid desiccant mould consists of 60% Bentonite,

10% Calcium chloride, 10% cement and 20% of Vermiculite
particle size 5mm and above.
Type 2: Solid desiccant mould consists of 60% Bentonite,
10% Calcium chloride, 10% cement and 20% of Vermiculite
particle size 5mm and above with applying a uniform pressure
of 11kN/m2.
Type 3: Solid desiccant mould consists of 60% Bentonite,
10% Calcium chloride, 10% cement and 20% of Vermiculite
particle size 5mm and above with applying a uniform pressure
of 22kN/m2.
B. Preparation of mould
Desiccant materials with required compositions are mixed
thoroughly by adding adequate water separately. The prepared

ISBN 978-93-80609-17-1
1021

Fig. 2 Turbulence kinetic energy result

International Conference on Recent Advances in Mechanical Engineering and Interdisciplinary Developments [ICRAMID - 2014]

Fig. 3 Velocity result

IV. THE FORMULA USED

Percentage of moisture content

= (Ww-Wd) / Wd X 100

[16]

Where,
Ww-weight of the wet mould

Wd- weight of the dry mould

[2]

Cumulative increase in weight

(kg)

Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show the variation of the cumulative

increase in weight and cumulative increase in moisture
absorption for the three different types of mould with time.
During the initial hours moisture absorption for all the three
types of mould are high. This is due to the moulds are
completely dry when it is placed on the drying chamber.
0.016
0.015
0.014
0.013
0.012
0.011
0.01
0.009
0.008
0.007
0.006
0

4
Time (hrs)

REFERENCES
[1]

V. RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS

[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]

Cumulative
increase in
weight (kg)
Type 1
Cumulative
increase in
weight (kg)
Type 2
Cumulative
increase in
weight (kg)
Type 3

[7]

[8]

Fig. 4 Variation of cumulative increase in weight with time

for different void fractions

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

Fig. 5 Variation of cumulative increase in moisture

absorption with time for different void fractions

[14]

Mould absorbs moisture till it reaches the equilibrium

moisture content level, Hence, after few hours moisture
absorption rate is considerably reduced and becomes constant
after six hours.
The results reveal that the type1 mould absorbs
maximum moisture than the other two. With the application of
pressure the void fraction is changed, so higher the pressure,
lower the void fraction and results in less capacity to absorb
the moisture.
VI. CONCLUSIONS
From the results obtained by using the desiccant drying
chamber for the three different types of mould, the following
conclusions are drawn.

The type 3 composition moulds which consists of

10% cement, 10% Calcium chloride, 60% Bentonite

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and 20% of vermiculite with the particle size 5mm

and above without applying pressure have absorbed
more moisture than the others.
Desiccant mould with concentric hole has a
significant effect on the absorption capacity
With a concentric whole on the desiccant mould, the
overall cost can be reduced and efficiency of the
desiccant incorporated solar drier can be improved.

[15]

[16]

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Frederic Smith G. The Regeneration of Spent Magnesium
Perchlorate desiccant. Talantan, 9, 65 (1962).
Allan Tomlinson E. William M.Miller Modeling Direct Solar
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J.Renewable Sustainable Energy, Vol.6, Issue 1(2014)