A method for the redesign of pneumatic dryers

A method for the design and redesign of pneumatic dryers is proposed. As an example, this pragmatic and fast method is applied to the redesign of a pneumatic dryer for potato particles that suffered from ignition of resident particles. In the method, a duct, geometrically qua flow dynamics equivalent to the industrial installation, as well as analysis-based modifications of it, are studied using velocity fluctuation measurements. For most practical flows of gas-particles, one-way coupling usually suffices to asses the influence of the flow on particle migration and deposition. Redesign proposals are based on measured fluctuation levels. The typical example given concerns optimization of the inclination of a ramp, air inlet and a grid. Some of these recommendations have successfully been applied in practice