Abstract

The results obtained in the analysis of the thermal behaviour of a forest biomass fluidized bed dryer with mechanical agitation, are reported. The study is carried out in a pilot size experimental equipment in batch operation. By means of Taguchi's techniques the specific consumption of energy and the rates of evaporation of water and production of dry biomass are analyzed based on the control factors (agitation speed, temperature of operation, superficial velocity and product load into the dryer). As noise factor the initial moisture content of the biomass was considered. The results of the study reveal that the drying process is obtained with a specific consumption of energy of 3040 kJ/kg and a thermal efficiency of 80%.