Energy analysis of intermittent drying in the spouted bed

The aim of this study was to evaluate different intermittency ratios applied to a spouted bed used to dry alumina, from the energy perspective. Two types of intermittency (reduction and total interruption of the air flow) and five different intermittency profiles were evaluated, including the use of time-variant intermittency ratios. The use of intermittency provided higher energy efficiency and better use of the energy supplied, compared to the continuous process. Reductions of energy consumption in the range from 13.2% to 67.2% were obtained, relative to the continuous process. The findings showed that the use of intermittency is a promising way to optimize energy consumption in spouted beds.