An energy efficient a drying system and process using heated, dry air. The system includes an air inlet, a heat pump evaporator unit, a heat pump condenser unit, a drying unit, a heat exchanger unit, a fan, and air channels for transport of airflow from the air inlet through the system. The fan causes air to flow into the air inlet through the heat pump evaporator unit and to maintain an airflow through the system. The heat pump evaporator unit is configured to use a refrigerant to absorb heat from air that flows into the system through the heat pump evaporator unit. The heat pump condenser unit is configured to release the heat absorbed at the evaporator to the airflow. The heat exchanger unit is arranged to transfer heat from the airflow leaving the drying unit to the cold, dehumidified air flowing from the heat pump evaporator unit.
F26B 3/06 - Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat by convection, i.e. heat being conveyed from a heat source to the materials or objects to be dried by a gas or vapour, e.g. air the gas or vapour flowing through the materials or objects to be dried
F26B 3/092 - Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat by convection, i.e. heat being conveyed from a heat source to the materials or objects to be dried by a gas or vapour, e.g. air the gas or vapour flowing through the materials or objects to be dried so as to loosen them, e.g. to form a fluidised bed agitating the fluidised bed, e.g. by vibrating or pulsating
F26B 5/04 - Drying solid materials or objects by processes not involving the application of heat by evaporation or sublimation of moisture under reduced pressure, e.g. in a vacuum
F26B 17/32 - Machines or apparatus for drying materials in loose, plastic, or fluidised form, e.g. granules, staple fibres, with progressive movement with movement performed by rotary or oscillating containersMachines or apparatus for drying materials in loose, plastic, or fluidised form, e.g. granules, staple fibres, with progressive movement with movement performed by rotary floors the movement being in a horizontal or slightly-inclined plane
The application relates to an energy efficient a drying system for lowering the moisture content in loose bulk materials and single piece materials by using heated, dry air, the system comprises an air inlet through a heat pump evaporator unit, a heat pump condenser unit, a drying unit, a heat exchanger unit, a fan and air channels for closed transport of an airflow from the air inlet through the system. The fan is arranged to cause air to flow into the air inlet through the heat pump evaporator unit and to maintain an airflow through the system; the heat pump evaporator unit is at least partly encased, the evaporator includes a refrigerant absorbing heat from the surrounding air of which a portion flows into the system through the heat pump evaporator unit, thereby producing a cold and dehumidified air flow; the heat pump condenser unit is encased defining a volume in which the refrigerant releases the heat absorbed at the evaporator to the airflow, producing a heated, dry airflow which is introduced to the drying unit; and the heat exchanger unit is arranged to transfer heat from the airflow leaving the drying unit to the cold, dehumidified air flowing from the heat pump evaporator unit. The application also describes a drying process using the drying system.
F26B 3/02 - Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat by convection, i.e. heat being conveyed from a heat source to the materials or objects to be dried by a gas or vapour, e.g. air
F26B 5/00 - Drying solid materials or objects by processes not involving the application of heat
F26B 13/04 - Machines or apparatus for drying fabrics, fibres, yarns, or other materials in long lengths, with progressive movement with movement in a straight line using rollers
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