Abstract
This research focuses on twin tower regenerative closed loop desiccant dryers, specifically: blower heater non-purge (BHNP) with and without cooling water pumps, compressed-air heater purge (CHP), blower heater purge (BHP) and pressure swing heaterless (PSH). The research was conducted by collecting and analysing real time current draw data on air compressors and associated dryers at eight different facilities (13 air compressors) in terms of energy, power and cost. A decision tool was developed to depict the operational characteristics (power, energy and cost) of each type of dryer if used in conjunction with the selected compressor system. Finally, this research, on an equivalent normalised basis, compared and contrasted the different types of dryers in terms of performance and cost. The research concluded that of the five types of desiccant dryer types observed the most energy efficient was the BHNP (with cooling water pump), subject to the operational conditions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 239-262 |
| Number of pages | 24 |
| Journal | International Journal of Energy Technology and Policy |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2021 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Funding
The research work has been funded by the Advanced Manufacturing Office of the US Department of Energy through the Industrial Assessment Center located in Statler College of Engineering at West Virginia University, and by West Virginia Office of Energy. Additional funding for this research has been facilitated by the UT Austin Global Innovation Lab.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| West Virginia Office of Energy | |
| U.S. Department of Energy | |
| University of Texas at Austin | |
| West Virginia University |
Keywords
- BHNP
- Blower heater non-purge
- Compressed air
- Compressed air dryers
- Desiccant dryers
- Energy consumption
- Energy efficiency
- Energy intensity
- Twin tower regenerative closed loop desiccant dryers
