Drying of Sodium Acetate in a Pulsed Fluid Bed Dryer

Sodium acetate crystals obtained from the reaction of acetic acid with sodium hydroxide are usually dried in rotary or fluidized beds. In this study, a batch pulsed fluid bed dryer with a 0.18 m(2) cross-sectional area was used in an attempt to reduce energy consumption and increase productivity. Drying curves of sodium acetate were determined for different conditions: inlet air temperature of 65 and 80 degrees C and pulsation frequency of 0 rpm (conventional fluidized bed), 500 and 900 rpm (pulsed fluid bed). A 2(2) factorial design was used to analyze the results. The intermittent flow helped to break agglomerates and provided better contact between particles and the gas. Drying rates were higher under pulsed fluidization when compared to conventional fluidization. Conventional fluidized bed drying consumed 2.5 times more energy at 80 degrees C. The influence of temperature on the drying rate was also evident.