Advanced Drying Technologies

Book excerpt: Presents Drying Breakthroughs for an Array of Materials Despite being one of the oldest, most energy-intensive unit operations, industrial drying is perhaps the least scrutinized technique at the microscopic level. Yet in the wake of today’s global energy crisis, drying research and development is on the rise. Following in the footsteps of the widely read first edition, Advanced Drying Technologies, Second Edition is the direct outcome of the recent phenomenal growth in drying literature and new drying hardware. This edition provides an evaluative overview of new and emerging drying technologies, while placing greater emphasis on making the drying process more energy efficient in the green age. Draws on the Authors’ 60+ Years of Combined Experience Fueled by the current energy crisis and growing consumer demand for improved quality products, this thoroughly updated resource addresses cutting-edge drying technologies for numerous materials such as high-valued, heat-sensitive pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and some foods. It also introduces innovative techniques, such as heat-pump drying of foods, which allow both industrial practice and research and development projects to save energy, reduce carbon footprints, and thus improve the bottom line. Four New Chapters: Spray-Freeze-Drying Fry Drying Refractance Window Drying Mechanical Thermal Expression Requiring no prior knowledge of chemical engineering, this single-source reference should assist researchers in turning the laboratory curiosities of today into the revolutionary novel drying technologies of tomorrow.