Comparison of Airflow Velocity Distribution at the Inlet in Single and Dual Inlet Cabinet Dryer: A CFD Study

Authors

  • Angga Darma Prabowo University of Lampung

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47355/jaset.v5i1.78

Keywords:

Airflow velocity distribution, Cabinet dryer, Computational fluid dynamics (CFD)

Abstract

This study explores how airflow velocity is distributed in cabinet dryers with single and dual inlet systems, using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. The goal was to compare how different inlet configurations affect airflow uniformity and drying performance across various rack levels. We tested four dual inlet setups with varying mass flow ratios (50%/50%, 40%/60%, 30%/70%, and 20%/80%) and compared them to a single inlet system. The results show that the single inlet configuration creates uneven airflow, with higher velocities at the top racks and lower velocities at the bottom, leading to inconsistent drying. On the other hand, dual inlet systems provide more even airflow, with the 50%/50% configuration being the most balanced. Even the more uneven dual inlet setups (such as the 20%/80% ratio) still performed better than the single inlet in terms of airflow consistency and drying efficiency. Overall, dual inlet systems, especially those with balanced airflow, enhance drying efficiency by ensuring more uniform airflow throughout the dryer. Further research could focus on optimizing these dual inlet systems for even better performance.

References

S. Lee & M. Lee. (2021, Aug.). Optimization of air flow in drying systems. Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer. [Online]. 36(8), pp. 1234–1247. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jheatmasstransfer.2021.05.027

X. Yang, et al. (2019, Sept.). Effect of air distribution on drying efficiency in industrial dryers. Energy Conversion and Management. [Online]. 72, pp. 545–554. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2019.04.035

Z. Wang, et al. (2020, July). Numerical investigation of airflow in cabinet dryers: A review. Journal of Food Engineering. [Online]. 41(6), pp. 275–287. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2020.05.017

V. Gupta, et al. (2018, Oct.). Influence of dual inlet systems in drying applications. Journal of Applied Fluid Mechanics. [Online]. 44(2), pp. 233–239. Available: https://doi.org/10.22099/jafm.2018.03.024

P. Kumar & R. Singh. (2017, Jun.). Flow rate control in dual inlet systems for better drying performance. Energy and Buildings. [Online]. 92, pp. 12–18. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.09.012

L. Zhang, et al. (2019, May). Impact of airflow ratio on drying efficiency in dual inlet dryers. Drying Technology. [Online]. 37(5), pp. 650–658. Available: https://doi.org/10.1080/07373937.2018.1568693

W. Chen, et al. (2016, Nov.). Airflow modeling for ventilation systems with dual inlets. Building and Environment. [Online]. 114, pp. 227–234. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2016.01.019

Y. Takahashi, et al. (2015, Dec.). CFD analysis of airflow in industrial drying systems. Chemical Engineering Science. [Online]. 138, pp. 160–170. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2015.10.019

J. Li, et al. (2018, Jan.). Performance analysis of dual inlet systems in industrial dryers. Renewable Energy. [Online]. 120, pp. 589–598. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2017.12.046

S. Singh, et al. (2020, Apr.). Airflow and temperature distribution in dual inlet cabinet dryers. Heat and Mass Transfer. [Online]. 53(8), pp. 1125–1133. Available: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-019-02713-0

M. Green, et al. (2018, Mar.). CFD simulations of airflow in dryers with multiple inlets. International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow. [Online]. 41, pp. 26–33. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatfluidflow.2018.01.002

P. Zhou, et al. (2019, Jun.). Experimental and CFD studies of airflow dynamics in drying chambers. Energy Reports. [Online]. 5, pp. 234–245. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2018.10.014

Y. Chen & L. Zhang. (2017, Feb.). CFD simulations of drying processes in cabinet dryers. Computers in Industry. [Online]. 91, pp. 83–92. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compind.2017.01.001

D. Xie, et al. (2019, Aug.). CFD investigation on airflow patterns in drying systems. Science and Technology for the Food Industry. [Online]. 10(5), pp. 480–490. Available: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05006-0

S. Pang, et al. (2020, Oct.). CFD modeling of dual inlet dryers: A comparative study. Chemical Engineering Journal. [Online]. 123, pp. 22–30. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2019.08.035

J. Zhang, et al. (2021, Jan.). Airflow characteristics and drying efficiency in cabinet dryers with multiple inlets. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research. [Online]. 60(12), pp. 4572–4579. Available: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.0c05232

Y. Liu, et al. (2019, Dec.). Effect of airflow split ratio on the performance of cabinet dryers. Food Bioproducts and Processing. [Online]. 120, pp. 159–167. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbp.2019.05.008

L. Wang, et al. (2020, Mar.). Analysis of airflow distribution in cabinet dryers using CFD. Heat Transfer Engineering. [Online]. 41(5), pp. 458–467. Available: https://doi.org/10.1080/01457632.2019.1684193

W. Li, et al. (2018, Oct.). Evaluation of drying performance using CFD simulations in multi-inlet dryers. International Journal of Thermal Sciences. [Online]. 129, pp. 147–156. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2018.04.002

Y. Yang, et al. (2020, Nov.). Numerical analysis of drying chamber performance with different inlet configurations. Energy. [Online]. 195, pp. 1175–1184. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2020.07.073

P. Zhang, et al. (2017, Feb.). Design optimization for air distribution in drying systems. Energy Conversion and Management. [Online]. 134, pp. 140–149. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2016.11.030

Z. Zhao, et al. (2019, Jun.). Impact of airflow distribution on drying kinetics: A CFD study. Journal of Food Engineering. [Online]. 236, pp. 30–40. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2018.10.011

Published

2025-06-28

Issue

Section

Articles