Heat Transfer Model in a Rotary Drum During the Fermentation Process

Abstract

A new mathematical model describing heat transfer during the fermentation process in a rotary drum is proposed. The model includes representations of the kinetic reactions, the temperature of the solid bed, and physical structures within the rotary drum. The model is developed using five ordinary differential equations and was then solved using the Runge-Kutta method embedded in MATLAB software. A reasonable behaviour for the temperature profile to the fermentation process is achieved. The results show that the mass of the solid bed, contact heat transfer coefficient, and the wall temperature has a significant effect on the fermentation process in a rotary drum.