Drying

Abstract

Drying is an operation in which volatile liquids are separated from solids, slurries, and solutions to yield solid products. Drying mechanisms and processes, including psychometry, heat‐ and mass‐transfer principles, and a description of liquid and vapor flow encountered during drying are discussed. In freeze drying (lyophilization), wet material is cooled to freeze the liquid and vaporization occurs by sublimation. Industrial dryers may be broadly classified according to the method of heat transfer as being either direct‐heat or indirect‐heat dryers. The types of dryers employed in the chemical industry, which may also be classified as batch or continuous, are described. Conventional, radiant, dielectric, and microwave heat sources are discussed as are emission control and energy usage of the various dryer types.