Processes of heat and mass transfer in straw bales using flue gasses as a drying medium

AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, A. Mickiewicza 30 av., 30-059 Kraków, Poland

^a Corresponding author: wgoryl@agh.edu.pl

Published online: 28 March 2016

Abstract

Moisture content is a main problem of using straw in form of bales for energy production. The paper presents possibility of straw drying in dedicated, innovative and patented in Poland straw dryers which using flue gasses as a drying medium. Paper presents an improved way of drying which proved to be very sufficient. Temperature and humidity of straw during the process of drying were measured. The measurements helped understand and perform numerical model of heat and mass transfer inside the straw bale. By using CFD codes it was possible to perform analysis of phenomenon occurring inside the dried straw bale. Based on the CFD model, proposals of the optimization and improvement process of drying have been discussed. Experimental and computational data have been compared in terms of convergence. A satisfying degree of agreement has been achieved. Applying improved drying method, homogenous field of moisture content and temperature in the straw bale is achieved in a very cost effective way.