Title:
Continuous Vacuum Technology for Drying Woodchips
Author(s):
Marek, V.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
This article is focused on processing of wooden biomass, especially woodchips. Production and processing of wooden biomass involve working with material of many different structures and qualities. Basic mechanical properties are defined by structure and humidity. Technological application of woodchips deals with the humidity of the input material. Pelleting, briquetting and also combustion of woodchips solve the high humidity of the input material. Drying in a vacuum is an effective way of processing wood. Conventional drying kilns are well known. Current technology for woodchips drying was described during EUBCE2017. This article is focused on the next generation of vacuum technology, the continuous regime of vacuum processing. There are vital technical requirements for developing this type of technology. These requirements are solved in this article including the description of the development process. Non-trivial tasks of fluid flows are simulated and solved by CFD solvers. Solutions and results are shown with respect to the potential value of the know-how. The thermomechanical behaviour of the designed technology is strongly dependent on the boundary conditions of the process and unknown coefficients. These dependencies are uncovered by the analysis of a prototype vacuum device. Measuring and analysis of the measurements are included in the design process. The main aims of this research are to focus on the reduction of drying costs and improve the performance of continuous vacuum drying technology. It is a new technology with a high level of potential. This paper describes the new technology, the potential of the vacuum and the opportunities for continuous vacuum technology.
Keywords:
drying, wood chip, computed fluid dynamic, vacuum
Topic:
Biomass Conversion Technologies for Heating, Cooling and Electricity
Subtopic:
Production and supply of solid biofuels
Event:
26th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
2DV.2.24
Pages:
906 - 911
ISBN:
978-88-89407-18-9
Paper DOI:
10.5071/26thEUBCE2018-2DV.2.24
Price:
FREE
