Simulation of drying suspensions in spout-fluid beds of inert particles

In spouted and spout fluid bed dryers, the suspension is spread into the be d of inert particles, covering these particles with a thin layer. As the in ert particles circulate, this suspension layer is dried and must become bri ttle enough to break off by the particle attrition. The powder produced is then carried out by air. Problems with the spout stability, particle agglom eration and powder deposits inside the column should be overcome by control ling the drying operation. The present work is aimed at modeling and simula ting the drying of suspensions, such as organic and biological pastes, in c onical spout-fluid beds of inert particles. A computer program has been dev eloped combining the air flow and particle circulation models with the mass and energy balances and the drying kinetic equations in order to describe this drying process. The effect of cohesive forces is also incorporated to the fluid flow model. Simulation results are analyzed and compared with exp erimental data reported in the literature. Implication of these results in drying suspensions is also discussed.