1Assistant Professor, Department of Processing and Food Engineering, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India
2 P.G. Student, Department of Processing and Food Engineering, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India
3Professor, Department of Processing and Food Engineering, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India
*Corresponding author e-mail address: arun-pfe@pau.edu
Online published on 2 January, 2019.
A study was attempted to develop a solar regenerative Bentonite-CaCl2 based solid desiccant material, and examine it's moisture sorption performance and regeneration characteristics. The desiccant was developed from 60% bentonite, 20% vermiculite, 10% CaCl2 and 10% cement. Regeneration studies on the desiccant were carried out for moisture adsorption at 30°C and 96% R.H. for 144 h; and moisture desorption at 40°C, 50°C, 60°C, 70°C and 80°C for 8 h. Regeneration temperature and time significantly affected the moisture sorption and desorption of the solid desiccant, and their combined impact was meaningful (p ≤ 0.05). Maximum adsorption capacity of the desiccant was 35.12% (d.b.), and was efficiently regenerated by solar energy.
Bentonite-CaCl2 desiccant, solar drying, regeneration, adsorption, desorption
