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EXPERIMENT 2
PSYCHROMETRICS OF DRYING
OBJECTIVE
To plot the drying process on psychometric chart and use the results to perform a basic mass
balance on the air.
SUMMARY OF THEORY
A mass flow rate of heater air ( ) passing over trays of a wet solid picks up a mass flow rate of
water ( ).
= (1 2 ) [2]
1 2
Air Flow
Heater
EQUIPMENT / APPARATUS
Tray Dryer Unit
MATERIALS
Sand
Water
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
1. Sufficient dry sample to fill the three trays to a depth of 10 mm each should be accurately
weighed before being saturated with water. The sample should be drained of excess free
water before being loaded evenly and smoothly on the drying trays, taking care to avoid any
spillage. The total weight of the wet sample should be noted before drying commences.
2. At some arbitrary time (t=0), switch on and select the fan speed control to 2.0 m/sec and
heater power control to maximum, letting them remain constant throughout the experiment
and record the temperature and relative humidity.
3. Record the total weight of sample in the trays at regular intervals until drying is complete.
Time (mins) 0
Temperature 1 (C)
Temperature 2 (C)
Relative humidity 1 (%)
Relative humidity 2 (%)
Wet sand weight (kg)
Moisture content, XE
2
From the results, plot the drying curve relating moisture content as a function of time and
differentiate data from this curve to produce the drying rate-moisture content curve:
C B
Moisture Content,
Plot the humidity-temperature path (1,2,3) on a psychrometric chart for any selected point during
the constant period and use the measurements of (W3, W2) to evaluate Mw.
Compare the result with that calculated from the drying rate at the same point in time. Comment
3
upon the results obtained and account for any significant different between the respective values.
Sample = _____________________
Fan speed = _____________________
Heater power = _____________________
Area of tray = _____________________
Weight of dry sample = _____________________
Ambient temperature = _____________________