Further results of simulations of the drying kinetics in a spouted bed dryer with a draft tube
(ICFB) will be presented in this paper. As noted earlier [Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2004, 43, 1113−1124], the Eulerian−Eulerian multifluid modeling approach was applied to predict gas−solid
flow behavior. The heat- and mass-transfer model was coupled with computational fluid dynamics
(CFD) code FLUENT 6.1, through application of user-defined functions (UDF). The falling rate
period of drying was described by the linear and nonlinear lumped-parameter models. The new,
robust “point-by-point” solution procedure was proposed to predict the kinetics of long-time batch
processes and to overcome a lack of sufficient computational performance. The results of the
simulations were compared with experimental data and with values obtained from various
correlations. The drying kinetics during the constant and falling rate periods of drying of inorganic
particles was predicted with sufficient accuracy and efficiency for engineering calculations. The
mean relative errors were 3.24% and 19.8% for drying periods I and II, respectively. The biological
texture of rapeseed caused higher discrepancies; however, for both types of grain, the results
from the CFD simulations were more similar to the experimental data than to the values obtained
from correlations. A CFD modeling technique, coupled with classical drying kinetics models,
provided useful results for engineering purposes and allows use of the model throughout all
phases of research and development.