Microwave drying characteristics and energy consumption analysis of dredged sediment

The microwave drying experiments were performed on the dredged sediments with different moisture contents under the microwave output powers of 462, 595, and 700 W respectively. The microwave drying process included increased speed dr2 ying, constant speed drying, and reduced speed drying process. T he results showed that the drying speed, moisture content, and temperature variation of dredged sediment agree with the typical drying characteristics curve. Effects of different factors on the microwave drying characteristics were discussed and unit energy consumption( UEC) was calculated. The initial moisture con2 tent of sediment had little influence on the variation of moisture content, which decreased gently at a lower output power of 462 W and decreased sharply at higher output powers of 595 W and 700 W. T he effects of moisture content and microwave power on the sediment temperature were more obvious during the constant speed and reduced speed periods while not obvious during the increased speed period. U nder the same drying condition, the maximum temperature of sediment was proportional to the micro2 wave power whereas inversely proportional to the moisture content. Compared with infrared drying, microwave drying reduced the drying time significantly. Proper microwave power can reduce U EC by 9% to 26%.

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