DRYING APPARATUS WITH ENERGY RECUPERATION

摘要

A drying apparatus for drying a fibrous material is described. The drying apparatus comprises a heater arranged to heat a first gas stream and a fibrous material, the first gas stream is arranged to enter the drying apparatus at an inlet, the gas stream including steam, a separator for separating a said fibrous material from the first gas stream to form a second gas stream. The drying apparatus further includes a heat exchanger arranged to condense and separate a steam component and a water component from the second gas stream, and a compressor arranged to compress the steam component and return the steam component to the inlet. In an alternative the compressor is arranged to compress the second gas stream directly and before the heat exchanger arranged to condense and separate a steam component and a water component from the second gas stream, and return the steam component to the inlet. A method of drying is also described. The invention as disclosed seeks to recover the energy content of the exhaust from the drying apparatus and return this to the dryer for re-use.