A comprehensive review of fluidized bed drying: Sustainable design approaches, hydrodynamic and thermodynamic performance characteristics, and product quality. (October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Majumder, Prasanta; Deb, Bachu; Gupta, Rajat; Sablani, Shyam S.
• Is Part Of: Sustainable energy technologies and assessments. Volume 53:Part C(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-10
• Subjects: Sustainable drying -- Renewable energy -- Fluidized bed hydrodynamics -- Energy and exergy analyses -- Energy conservation; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Energy development -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Electric power production -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Periodicals; 333.79
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seta.2022.102643
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-1388

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: A comprehensive review of the technological progress of FBD is conducted. The sustainability evaluation criteria (SDG 7) for FBD have been identified. Renewabilization with energy storage and recirculation is a promising technique. Hybrid non-thermal (40℃ and RH < 10 %) with swirling air dispersion could be the better choice. By using sustainable approaches 10–30% of energy intake in FBD could be conserved. Abstract: Augmentation of alternative energy supply in the global energy mix and amplifying the energy efficiency of thermal systems are emphasized in the Sustainable Development Goals-Envision 2030 of the United Nations. The use of locally accessible renewable energy in lieu of fossil fuels and reducing the energy loss is inevitable to bring down the higher energy cost (5–12.5 EJ/year) and carbon footprint associated with drying processes (4 % of global food-system emission). Fluidized bed drying (FBD) is considered one of the most appealing technologies for producing uniformly dried materials in a faster way. Conventional FBD undergoes difficulties in the fluidity of Geldart group-C and D particles and consumes higher energy (than its capital investment over the course of its lifespan) for supplying hot air at a higher mass flow rate. In most practical instances, only up to 55–60 % of the heat supplied to the dryer is utilized for moisture evaporation, and the remaining 40–45 % is lost by means of exhaust and lower energy utilization efficiency (<50 %). Considering the above aspects, the objective of the current review is focused on assessing the improvement potential of FBD performance by a critical consideration of energy and exergy analyses, heat and mass transfer, and hydrodynamic behavior. This review also provides a useful insight into the state-of-the-art technological progress of FBD as regards the prospective role of renewable energy sources embedded with energy storage, recirculation and dehumidification, additional features in FBD columns, process hybridization, intermittency, pretreatment of food products to make the FBD a reliable and sustainable drying technology. It can be envisaged that by selecting a product-specific relevant technology with optimum process parameters, as much as 10–30 % of the total energy intake in drying could be conserved.