ANALYSIS OF TRANSPORT PHENOMENA DURING THE CONVECTIVE DRYING IN SUPERHEATED STEAM

This work focused on high-temperature convective drying (superheated s team drying). The process has been investigated both experimentally an d numerically. The experimental analysis was carried out in an aerodyn amic return-flow wind-tunnel, with very small cylinders of cellular co ncrete. For the local analysis, the samples were fitted with thermocou ples and pressure sensors. The mean moisture content of the cylinders was measured by simple weighing while the temperature and pressure rea dings were being taken. Global and local analysis of heat and mass tra nsfer in small cylinders in superheated steam were carried out. The sy stematical study for several sizes and aerothermal conditions show a s imilar behavior for moisture content, pressure and temperature values. A numerical model for high temperature drying, using the finite eleme nts method, in a 2-D configuration, was implemented and validated.