MATEMATICAL MODELING OF CROSS FLOW CONVEYOR BELT DRYER

The drying of solids in cross flow conveyor belt dryer (continuous operation system) in which particles (thin-layer) move in a wire net conveyor was theoretically studied. A mathematical modeling that considers the influence of the bed porosity and the transient terms in the drying process was developed and the changes of bed porosity and product density with moisture content of seeds have been considered. Also to have a more accurate model, some changes have made to the seeds specific surface amount. The finite volume method was used to solve numerically the governing conservation equations. The results of moisture content of the material (yellow corn kernel) and residence time and conveyor length are presented and analyzed to modify model according to bed porosity, product density and seeds specific surface changes. This model can predict humidity ratio and temperature of air, moisture content and temperature of material along the drying process.