A simplified technique for sizing solar- assisted fixed-bed batch dryers: application to granulated natural rubber

摘要

This work concerns the design of solar-assisted drying systems. The system considered is of indirect type where an air collector field is associated to a fixed-bed batch dryer. For a given system configuration, the heat savings fraction is defined. Partial drying air recirculation and the possible heat dumping are taken into account. The importance of the collector array is underlined. A simplified tech- nique for sizing is developed with application to granulated natural rubber for fixed drying conditions. The development consists in relating empirically the heat savings fraction to design parameters by simu- Lations.