Sorption Drying Unit Using Inorganic Oxoacids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drying technologies face limitations such as contamination risks, poor heat transfer coefficients, and inability to dry heat-sensitive materials or substances like food efficiently, especially in direct contact sorption drying methods, which are not suitable for continuous operation or high-temperature applications.
Innovation Solution
A sorption drying unit utilizing inorganic oxoacids like phosphoric acid and its salts, with a controlled heat exchange system and regeneration process, to achieve efficient and continuous drying at lower temperatures, reducing contamination and improving drying velocity while maintaining air dryness and temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If direct contact drying with hot gases is used, then drying efficiency is improved, but contamination of the substance with toxic chemicals occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A liquid sorbent medium is introduced as an intermediary between the hot gas stream and the substance to be dried. The sorbent selectively absorbs water vapor from the air stream through mass transfer, preventing direct contact between toxic hot gases and the substance while maintaining high drying efficiency. The sorbent acts as a mediator that transfers moisture from the air to the liquid phase without requiring the substance to be exposed to harmful chemicals.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional indirect contact heat exchanger is used, then contamination is avoided, but heat transfer coefficient is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a liquid sorbent system where hot gas flows through a packed bed or contactor containing the liquid sorbent. This hydraulic approach allows for much higher heat and mass transfer coefficients compared to conventional indirect heat exchangers, while the liquid sorbent prevents contamination of the substance. The liquid medium provides superior thermal contact and mass transfer surface area.
3Productivity
If high temperature drying is used, then drying velocity is improved, but heat-sensitive materials are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the drying medium by using a liquid sorbent system that operates at lower temperatures than conventional hot gas drying. The sorbent can be maintained at moderate temperatures while still achieving high drying velocities through enhanced mass transfer. This parameter change allows effective drying of heat-sensitive materials without thermal damage.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If sorption drying unit is used, then contamination is reduced, but heat transfer coefficient to remove heat from moist air is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite liquid sorbent system combining a hygroscopic salt solution with appropriate carriers or additives to enhance both the heat transfer coefficient and the water vapor absorption capacity. This composite approach allows the sorbent to simultaneously achieve good thermal contact with the hot moist air stream and high selectivity for water vapor removal, resolving the contradiction between heat transfer efficiency and contamination reduction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient and continuous drying of heat-sensitive materials at lower temperatures, reducing contamination risks and improving drying velocity, making it suitable for applications like food drying while maintaining air dryness and temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
the sorption means sorb water from the first stream of air, to provide the second stream of air
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchange element adapted to exchange heat with the sorption means
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is related to the field of industrial drying unit. The present invention provides for a unit for drying and methods for the direct sorption drying of substances such as, but not limited to, pellets, construction materials, wood, gases, pulp and paper, drying of chemicals from synthesis reactions or inorganic and organic acid production, food.