DRYING SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CAPACITY CONTROL

摘要

The invention relates to a drying system (1) comprising a drying plant (2) and a heat pump assembly (3) comprising one or more heat pumps operating with a primary fluid and being connected to at least two heat sources and at least one heat sink by means of a number of heat exchangers in a fluid network, in which a secondary fluid circulates. The heat sources may comprise dew point dehumidification in at least one heat exchanger (41) of process gas entering the drying plant; and recovery in another heat exchanger (42) of latent and/or sensible heat from exhaust gas leaving the drying plant. The heat sink may comprise pre-heating in a heat exchanger (51) of process gas used within the plant. Further, a method of integrating a heat pump assembly into a drying system is devised. By the invention, it is possible to increase the capacity of the drying plant while reducing the specific energy demand.