Drying
Encyclopedia : D : DR : DRY : Drying
Drying is a mass transfer process resulting in the removal of water from an object. In technical contexts and in medicine it may also be called dehydration.
Drying may be both a natural and an intentional process.
The process of extreme drying is called desiccation.
There is very extensive technical literature on this subject, including several major textbooks and a dedciated scientific journal (Drying Technology).
Methods of drying
- Application of dry heated air (convective drying). This causes evaporation of the surface water, which is replaced by water from inside the solid until the whole has dried out.
- Indirect or contact drying (heating through a hot wall), similar to above.
- Dielectric drying (radiofrequency or microwaves being absorbed inside the material)
- Freeze drying
- Supercritical drying
Applications of drying
- Devices commonly called dryers are used for efficient drying of various things: hair after shower, candies at candy factories, semiconductor wafers
- Most processes giving a solid product involve a drying step
- Drying is often used to preserve food
- Desiccation is used to obtain absolute alcohol
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