SBANC Computer Controlled Tray Drier

The Computer Controlled Tray Drier "SBANC" is a laboratory scale unit designed to study fluid mechanics, surface chemistry, solids structures and mass and energy balances related to the drying process.

It consists of a tunnel, several trays where the product to be dried is placed and a nozzle. There is an axial fan (computer controlled), located at the inlet of the tunnel, to introduce the air required to dry the product. A flow sensor allows the student to determine the air flow introduced.

The unit includes a heating element (computer controlled) and a temperature sensor, located next to the fan, to modify the air temperature. Two steam lines inject steam from a steam generator (not included) to the tunnel to modify the air characteristics.

The unit has three strategically located hygrometers to determine the optimum humidity and temperature values required for the drying process. These hygrometers are formed by two temperature sensors: one of them is wrapped in an absorbing cover (wet bulb) and the other is directly located in the tunnel (dry bulb). The degree of humidity, enthalpy, etc. can be calculated by their measurements and the use of a psychrometric chart.

The weight of the product to be dried is measured with a load cell (force sensor) during the drying process. The humidity air next to the product is measured with a humidity sensor.

This Computer Controlled Unit is supplied with the EDIBON Computer Control System (SCADA), and includes: The unit itself + a Control Interface Box + a Data Acquisition Board + Computer Control, Data Acquisition and Data Management Software Packages, for controlling the process and all parameters involved in the process.