Simulation Study on Active Air Flow Distribution Characteristics of Closed Heat Pump Drying System with Waste Heat Recovery

Hai-Bo Zhao, Kun Wu and Jing-Feng Zhang
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Hai-Bo Zhao: School of Ocean, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
Kun Wu: Department of Automobile and Ship Engineering, Yantai Vocational College, Yantai 264670, China
Jing-Feng Zhang: School of Civil Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 19, 1-19

Abstract: A tridimensional turbulent flow model is established for a closed heat pump drying system with waste heat recovery to improve the drying air flow characteristics and reduce the energy consumption of air circulation. The active flow distribution mode is introduced to guide air flowing in the system’s drying cabinet, top air duct, mixing zone, and heat pump. It is found that the wind velocity in the cabinet’s supply channel is greater than that in the return channel, the velocity distribution in the top duct is uneven, and the outlet velocity of the bypass fan is high and a vortex forms. A partition panel added in the top duct and modulating fans in the drying cabinet are proposed to solve these problems. The simulation results show that removing the circulating fan, changing the volume flow of the bypass fan, adopting the alternative operation mode of the bypass fans, reducing the air volume flow of the supply fan, and reducing the total pressure of the fans can improve the dry air velocity uniformity in the drying cabinet and reduce the energy consumption of the fans. This paper analyzes the closed-loop drying air flow characteristics of the active flow distribution system in the heat pump drying system, which lays a foundation for the wind velocity, temperature, and humidity regulating of heat pump drying system with waste heat recovery.

Keywords: heat pump drying; flow distribution; flow field; simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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