Fluidized Bed Superheated Steam Dryer for Bagasse: Effects of Particle Size Distribution

Luz Stella Polanco, Vadim Kochergin, Jose F. Alvarez

Amalgamated Research LLC, Boise, USA.
Audubon Sugar Institute, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Saint Gabriel, USA.
Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida, Belle Glade, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/jsbs.2013.34036                

Abstract

Fluidized bed superheated steam drying is one of the technologies successfully applied to drying pulp in the sugar beet industry. It has the technological advantages of energy efficiency and safety (inert environment) required for use in drying bagasse. A comparison of the particle size distribution of bagasse and beet pulp was evaluated in terms of fluidization. The size distribution of bagasse particles is from 2 to 10 times broader than the equivalent distribution of beet pulp particles. The mean particle size of the bagasse is 1/3 of the mean size of the beet pulp. Fluidization tests proved that bagasse fluidization is possible. It was found that beet pulp and bagasse particles clearly differ on shape and size distribution which in turn will affect the design of the ancillary equipment and the fluidization systems if sugarcane bagasse is to be dried using superheated steam technology.

Keywords

Biomass; Bagasse Drying; Particle Size; Fluidized Bed

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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