Title: Exergy analysis of an electric grain drying system with internal circulation of the drying medium of corn

Authors: Guiying Wang; Wenfu Wu; Wen Xu; Yan Xu; Yaqiu Zhang; Daping Fu

Addresses: College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, 5988 Renmin Street, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China ' College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, 5988 Renmin Street, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China; Jilin Business and Technology College, 1666 Kalunhu Street, Jiutai Economic Development Zone, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China ' Jilin Business and Technology College, 1666 Kalunhu Street, Jiutai Economic Development Zone, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China ' College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, 5988 Renmin Street, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China ' College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, 5988 Renmin Street, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China ' College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, 5988 Renmin Street, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China

Abstract: In recent decades, exergy analysis has become an important tool to assess drying systems and optimise drying processes. This research work uses a corn drying experiment to analyse the exergy performance of a newly developed drying system, where, all exhaust air recirculated is dehumidified by condensation to achieve energy savings and environmental protection. The results show that under the experimental conditions, the exergy efficiency of the drying process was 34.03%-64.90%, and the drying rate of corn was stable at 0.3%-0.4% when the condensation intensity was 1.1-4.9 g/m³. The improvement potential rate of the drying process was 109 kJ/s-115 kJ/s and 37 kJ/s-52 kJ/s when the drying temperature was 90°C-100°C and below 90°C, respectively. The sustainability index was 1.5-2.8. With increasing drying air temperature, the exergy efficiencies of the drying process and the sustainability index decreased, but the improvement potential rate increased.

Keywords: exergy analysis; electric grain drying system; internal circulation of the drying medium; drying characteristics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2022.120127

International Journal of Exergy, 2022 Vol.37 No.1, pp.102 - 120

Received: 15 Feb 2021
Accepted: 22 Jul 2021
Published online: 07 Jan 2022 *

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