Intensification of drying processes due to optimal operations.

Based on the drying theory developed earlier by the authors, this paper presents some results of computerized simulation of convective drying of a solid material, leading to optimal drying conditions; thus, offering minimum energy consumption and high product quality obtained at a maximum yet permissible drying rate. The thermo-hydro-mechanical model of drying is used to describe the kinetics of drying and to analyze drying-induced stresses which are responsible for damage of dried products. The effective stress defined on the basis of the energetic criterion is related to the admissible stress; thus, constituting the strength criterion for a given material. Three different numerical examples of effective drying are presented based on a sample of finite dimensions of a kaolin-clay cylinder subjected to convective drying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]