Handbook of Meat Processing

Drying 227

must be changed or regenerated. The total

energy demand is lower as well (Fig. 11.9 ).

The dried air is recirculated into the drying

room (Imre 1974 ). Temperature and relative

humidity of this air is adjusted to the drying

program. This program determines the rate of

air circulation, too. The circulation is either

spraying an absorbing fl uid into the air. The
other method sends air through layers of
water - absorbing granules (e.g., silica gel).
These systems leave out the cooling and
warming of the air to achieve moisture con-
densation. The regulation of air humidity is
easier, too. However the absorbing medium

Figure 11.8. Front view (cross section) of a single level drying room.

outside

air

mixing

removal

of water

moisture and

temperature

adjustment

condensation

cooling and

condensating

warming absorbent

fluid spraying

replacement

of fluid

absorbtion

by silica-gel

regenerating

room

Figure 11.9. The arrangement of the air control unit.