Robust Simulation of Counterflow Moving Bed Dryers

Abstract

In this work, a robust and accurate strategy for simulating counterflow moving bed dryers is presented. A complete pseudo-transient phenomenological model for the process has been developed and the variable time is used as a continuation parameter. The desired solution is the final steady-state reached by the model. The code DASSL is used to perform the integration of the differential algebraic equation system and consistent initialization is achieved via a direct technique. The computational effort is surprisingly small comparing to those reported in the literature. Reasonable concordance between simulated and experimental results has been observed even though the mathematical model contains no adjustable parameters. Convergence problems have not been observed for all tested operating conditions, including those pointed by other authors as particularly difficult. The mathematical tool built is capable of making accurate predictions about the behavior of the equipment in affordable computing time and hence this constitutes an invaluable tool to study counterflow moving bed drying.