Drying kinetics of RDX under atmospheric pressure and vacuum conditions

The drying characteristics of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) are investigated in the ranges of 60-90 degrees C of drying temperature under atmospheric pressure and vacuum conditions in a laboratory scale dryer. The effect of drying temperature and absolute pressure on the drying characteristics is determined. In order to estimate and select the suitable form of RDX drying curves, the curves are fitted to ten different semi-theoretical and/or empirical thin-layer drying models and coefficients are evaluated by non-linear regression analysis. The models are compared based on their coefficient of determination, such as mean bias error, root mean square error, reduced chi-square and modeling efficiency between experimental and predicted moisture ratios. It is deduced that Midilli-Kucuk model has shown a better fit to the experimental drying data as compared to other models. A diffusion model is used to describe the moisture transfer and the effective diffusivity for RDX drying is also determined at each temperature. Beside, the activation energy is also expressed using Arrhenius-type relationship under atmospheric pressure and vacuum conditions. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.