Drying kinetics, exergy and energy analyses of Kodo millet grains and Fenugreek seeds using wall heated fluidized bed dryer

Energy consumption is one of the major parameters necessary to design any process equipment. Drying is a thermodynamic process used to control moisture concentration in the material. The energy utilization, exergy losses and exergy efficiency vary with material properties and dryer conditions. In the present study, experiments were carried out with Kodo millet and Fenugreek seeds using batch wall heated fluidized bed dryer. The exergy and energy analyses were carried out changing wall temperature, air velocity, bed height and initial moisture content of bed material in wall heated fluidized bed dryer. The energy utilization ratio, exergy loss and exergy efficiency of Kodo millet and Fenugreek seeds were analyzed and reported.