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Title:
A BIOMASS DRYER
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2016/060540
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a laterally aerated moving bed biomass dryer (100). The biomass dryer (100) comprises of a hollow main body (20) to provide a biomass bed; a receiver (10) at one end to receive biomass; an outlet at another end of the biomass dryer (100) to discharge dried biomass from the main body (20); at least one partially perforated inner tube (25) inside the main body (20) to distribute hot air into the biomass bed; a warm air outlet (21) to let warm air out from the biomass dryer (100) during a biomass drying process; and a movable plate (60) at the outlet. The at least one partially perforated inner tube (25) inside the main body (20) is attached to the movable plate (60) and moves together with the movable plate (60) when the biomass drying process takes place.

Inventors:
JIDON ADRIAN BIN JANAUN (MY)
VALERIAN VICTOR KONG (MY)
TAN KAR YUAN (MY)
Application Number:
PCT/MY2014/000254
Publication Date:
April 21, 2016
Filing Date:
October 14, 2014
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SABAH (MY)
International Classes:
F26B3/04; F26B3/14
Foreign References:
CN101126600A2008-02-20
US20140041251A12014-02-13
US20060130353A12006-06-22
US5074057A1991-12-24
JP2002267360A2002-09-18
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
H. A. RASHID, Ahmad Fadzlee (A-3-3A Centrio Pantai Hillpark,NO, Jalan Pantai Murni Kuala Lumpur, MY)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A biomass dryer (100) comprising:

a) a main body (20) to provide a biomass bed, ,

b) a receiver (10) on top of the main body (20) to receive biomass, c) an outlet at a bottom of the main body (20) to discharge dried biomass, and

d) a warm air outlet (21) to let warm air out from the biomass dryer (100), wherein the biomass dryer (100) is characterised in that:

e) the main body (20) includes at least one partially perforated inner tube (25) extends along the main body (20) to distribute hot air into the biomass bed.

The biomass dryer (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the biomass dryer (100) further includes:

a) the outlet includes a movable plate (60) attached to the at least one partially perforated inner tube (25), wherein the movable plate (60a) is movable vertically and rotatable in its radial axis

b) a motor (70a) attached to the movable plate (60); and

c) a motor control panel (40a) to adjust the rotating frequency range of the motor (70a).

The biomass dryer (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiver (10a) is enclosed with a cap (15a) to contain the hot air inside the main body (20a).

The biomass dryer (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the warm air outlet (21a) is an extended pipe on top of the cap ( 5a).

The biomass dryer (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body (20a) is made of an innermost layer, a mesh layer (26a) and an outer layer (27a), wherein the innermost layer is the at least one partially perforated inner tube (25a), and the mesh layer (26a) is the biomass bed.

The biomass dryer (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one partially perforated inner tube (25a) includes a bearing and quick fit at one end of the inner tube (25a), wherein the quick fit is used to connect the inner tube (25a) to an air inlet pipe to provide hot air from an air heater and the bearing is used to connect the inner tube (25a) to the quick fit.

7. The biomass dryer (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein an O-ring support frame is used to strengthen the mesh layer (26a).

8. The biomass dryer (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer layer (27a) is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe or any material that is capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 65°C.

9. The biomass dryer (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer layer (27a) includes a plurality of samplers (28a), wherein each sampler (28a) has one open end and one sealed end, wherein a sample inlet opening is provided at the edge of the sealed end to allow a biomass sample to be drawn inside the sampler (28a), and wherein the sample inside the sampler (28a) is taken out from the open end of the sampler.

10. The biomass dryer (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the biomass dryer (100a) further includes a frame support (30a) to support the biomass dryer (100a), and a bottom support (50a), wherein the bottom support (50a) and the movable plate (60a) are connected at the bottom part of the frame support (40a), and wherein the main body (20a) is placed on top of the bottom support (50a).

11. The biomass dryer (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one partially perforated inner tube (25b) is connected to an air-distributor (14b), wherein the air distributor (14b) includes a plurality of connectors and a bearing system, wherein each connector is used to distribute air from a hot air supply and the bearing system is used to allow the rotation of the air distributor (14b).

12. The biomass dryer (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the biomass dryer (100b) further includes a rotatable plate (13b) having a plurality of holes on its surface to fit each inner tube (25b) which is to be connected to the air distributor (14b), wherein the rotatable plate (13b) is rotatable as the movable plate (60b) rotates the at least one partially perforated inner tubes (25b).

The biomass dryer (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiver (10b) further comprises of a duct (11b) and a valve (12b), wherein the receiver (10b) receives and directs the biomass into the main body (20b) section of the biomass dryer (100b) through the duct (11b), and wherein the valve (12b) is used to control the flow of the biomass into the duct (11b).

The biomass dryer (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body (20b) has an outer surface having a plurality of holes (28b), and an inner surface, wherein the outer surface is a solid material and the inner surface is a mesh material, wherein the inner surface is attached with a plurality of baffles (22b), and the outer surface is attached with a pair of sweepers (29b) at its bottom.

Description:
A BIOMASS DRYER

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a biomass dryer. More particularly, the present invention relates to a laterally aerated moving bed biomass dryer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many dryers such as grain and biomass dryers have been invented to be utilised especially in the food or botanical products industry. For example, a dryer is needed to remove moisture from grain before the grain is stored since the moisture in the grain may cause spoilage during storage. In another example, the drying of malt is also critically important to achieve a deliberate drying of malt and also a precise moisture control during the drying process of the temperature in the drying zones. This is to make sure the desired qualities and characteristics in the malt are developed as they greatly affect the flavour and quality of the end product.

An example of a dryer is disclosed in United States Patent No. 4014106 which relates to a dryer for removing moisture from wet fine particles, whereby the dryer comprising an insulated stationary cylinder in which an open-ended metallic cylindrical tube is rotated, coaxially in an essentially horizontal position. To dry the wet particles such as coal, hot air is circulated between the cylinder and the tube. The dryers also have perforated fins and baffles extend from the outer wall of the tube for better heat transfer to the tube and metallic balls for moisture evaporation. Finally, the dried coal is discharged at the opposite end through a screen section of the tube.

In another example, United States Patent No. 3915627 discloses a dryer for moist particles such as grain. The dryer is a rotatable tube mounted at an angle, wherein the dryer is divided into a front grain receiving end, a rear grain expelling end, a preliminary drying section adjacent to the front end and a heating section between the preliminary drying section and the rear end. The flow of the moist particles to the tube is regulated so as a limited amount of the moist particles will be engaged by extending longitudinal channels or angles on the wall and sprinkle downwardly from the tube side to the bottom and counter-flow through a moving heated air. Although the existing dryers have been found to work well, the power consumption of the drying process in achieving a standard quality of dried biomass is high. As a result of that, a higher cost of drying process is needed. Furthermore, a uniform air distribution is highly important since the quality of biomass such as paddy is also affected by the uniformity of the drying process. Therefore, there is a need to provide a dryer that can decrease the pressure drop inside the dryer bed in reducing the power consumption of the dryer and at the same time provides a uniformity in air distribution during the drying process.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a laterally aerated moving bed biomass dryer (100). The biomass dryer (100) comprising a main body (20) to provide a biomass bed, a receiver (10) on top of the main body (20) to receive biomass, an outlet at a bottom of the main body (20) to discharge dried biomass, a warm air outlet (21) to let warm air out from the biomass dryer (100). Moreover, the main body (20) includes at least one partially perforated inner tube (25) extends along the main body (20) to distribute hot air into the biomass bed. Preferably, the biomass dryer (100) further includes the outlet includes a movable plate (60) attached to the at least one partially perforated inner tube (25), wherein the movable plate (60a) is movable vertically and rotatable in its radial axis; a motor (70a) attached to the movable plate (60); and a motor control panel (40a) to adjust the rotating frequency range of the motor (70a).

Preferably, the receiver (10a) is enclosed with a cap (15a) to contain the hot air inside the main body (20a).

Preferably, the warm air outlet (21a) is an extended pipe on top of the cap (15a).

Preferably, the main body (20a) is made of an innermost layer, a mesh layer (26a) and an outer layer (27a), wherein the innermost layer is the at least one partially perforated inner tube (25a), and the mesh layer (26a) is the biomass bed. Preferably, the at least one partially perforated inner tube (25a) includes a bearing and quick fit at one end of the inner tube (25a), wherein the quick fit is used to connect the inner tube (25a) to an air inlet pipe to provide hot air from an air heater and the bearing is used to connect the inner tube (25a) to the quick fit.

Preferably, an O-ring support frame is used to strengthen the mesh layer

(26a).

Preferably, the outer layer (27a) is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe or any material that is capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 65°C.

Preferably, the outer layer (27a) includes a plurality of samplers (28a), wherein each sampler (28a) has one open end and one sealed end, wherein a sample inlet opening is provided at the edge of the sealed end to allow a biomass sample to be drawn inside the sampler (28a), and wherein the sample inside the sampler (28a) is taken out from the open end of the sampler.

Preferably, the biomass dryer (100a) further includes a frame support (30a) to support the biomass dryer (100a), and a bottom support (50a), wherein the bottom support (50a) and the movable plate (60a) are connected at the bottom part of the frame support (40a), and wherein the main body (20a) is placed on top of the bottom support (50a).

Preferably, the at least one partially perforated inner tube (25b) is connected to an air-distributor (14b), wherein the air distributor (14b) includes a plurality of connectors and a bearing system, wherein each connector is used to distribute air from a hot air supply and the bearing system is used to allow the rotation of the air distributor (14b). Preferably, the biomass dryer (100b) further includes a rotatable plate (13b) having a plurality of holes on its surface to fit each inner tube (25b) which is to be connected to the air distributor (14b), wherein the rotatable plate ( 3b) is rotatable as the movable plate (60b) rotates the at least one partially perforated inner tubes (25b). Preferably, the receiver (10b) further comprises of a duct (11b) and a valve (12b), wherein the receiver (10b) receives and directs the biomass into the main body (20b) section of the biomass dryer (100b) through the duct (11b), and wherein the valve (12b) is used to control the flow of the biomass into the duct (11b).

Preferably, wherein the main body (20b) has an outer surface having a plurality of holes (28b), and an inner surface, wherein the outer surface is a solid material and the inner surface is a mesh material, wherein the inner surface is attached with a plurality of baffles (22b), and the outer surface is attached with a pair of sweepers (29b) at its bottom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a biomass drying system (1000) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 (a) illustrates a biomass dryer (100) according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 (b) illustrates a front view of the biomass dryer (100a) of FIG. 2 (a). FIG. 2 (c) illustrates a top view of the biomass dryer (100a) of FIG. 2 (a).

FIG. 2 (d) illustrates a side view of the biomass dryer (100a) of FIG. 2 (a).

FIG. 3 illustrates the components of a main body (20a) of the biomass dryer (100a) of FIG. 2 (a).

FIG. 4 illustrates an inner tube (25a) of the main body (20a) of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 illustrates a mesh layer (26a) of the main body (20a) of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 illustrates an outer layer (27a) with samplers (28a) of the main body (20a) of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 illustrates a frame support (30a) and a motor control panel (40a) of the biomass dryer (100a) of FIG. 2 (a).

FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom support (50a), a movable plate (60a) and a motor (70a) of the biomass dryer (100a) of FIG. 2 (a). FIG. 9 illustrates a top view, front view and side view of the bottom support (50a), the withdrawal plate (60a) and the motor (70a) of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates a biomass dryer (100b) according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a head section of the biomass dryer (100b) of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 illustrates a main body (20b) section of the biomass dryer (100b) of FIG. 10. FIG. 13 (a) illustrates a bottom section of the biomass dryer (100b) of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 (b) illustrates perforations on the inner tubes (25b) of the biomass dryer (100b) of FIG. 10. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFFERED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the description with unnecessary detail.

Reference in made initially to FIG. 1 which illustrates a biomass drying system (1000) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The biomass drying system (1000) comprises of a biomass dryer (100), an air heater (200), a moisture absorber (300) and an air compressor (400). The biomass dryer (100) which is used for drying biomass such as paddy, is connected to the air heater (200) and the moisture absorber (300), wherein the air heater (200) and the moisture absorber (300) are also connected to the air compressor (400). The air heater (200) is used to supply hot air into the biomass dryer (100) to dry biomass, while the moisture absorber (300) is used to remove moisture in the warm air carried out from the biomass dryer (100). The air compressor (400) is then used to pump the warm air with low moisture from the moisture absorber (300) into the air heater (200) to be heated and to be reused again by the biomass dryer (100).

The biomass dryer (100) comprises of a hollow main body (20) to provide a biomass bed; a receiver (10) at the top of the main body (20) to receive biomass; a warm air outlet (21) to let warm air out from the biomass dryer (100) during the biomass drying process; an outlet at the bottom of the main body (20) to discharge dried biomass from the main body (20), wherein the outlet further comprises of a movable plate (60); and at least one partially perforated inner tube (25) which extends along the main body (20) to distribute hot air laterally into the biomass bed to dry the biomass. The at least one partially perforated inner tube (25) is attached to the movable plate (60) and moves together with the movable plate (60) when the biomass drying process takes place. During a biomass drying process, hot air is distributed laterally by the partially perforated inner tube (25) into the biomass bed to achieve uniformity in air distribution. Uniformity is achieved by systematically rotating the partially perforated inner tube (25) at a desired rate to stir the biomass while being aerated radially along the tube to have a better mixing. Furthermore, by having a movable plate (60) as the outlet, the biomass flow rate can easily be controlled by varying the outlet opening. The biomass dryer (100) provides a uniform biomass drying with a more energy efficient and improvement of air distribution.

Referring now to FIG. 2 (a), it illustrates a biomass dryer (100a) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The biomass dryer (100a) which uses one inner tube (25a) to distribute hot air laterally into the biomass, comprises of a receiver (10a) with a cap (15a), a main body (20a), a warm air outlet (21a), a frame support (30a), a motor control panel (40a), a bottom support (50a), a movable plate (60a) and a motor (70a). The front, top and side views of the biomass dryer (100a) are shown in FIGS. 2 (b - d) respectively. The receiver (10a), which is at the top of the biomass dryer (100a), is a cylindrical tube with an open end which is used to receive and direct the biomass into the main body (20a). The cap (15a) on top of the receiver (10a) is used as a cover to enclose the open end of the receiver (10a) to contain the hot air inside the main body (20a) when a biomass drying process takes place. Furthermore, the warm air outlet (21a), which is an extended pipe on top of the cap (15a), is used to let the warm air with high content of moisture out from the biomass dryer (100a) during the biomass drying process. Referring now to FIG. 3, it shows that the main body (20a) is cylindrical and is made of three layers which are an inner tube (25a), a mesh layer (26a) and an outer layer (27a), wherein there are preferably 3 to 9 samplers (28a) on the outer layer (27a) of the main body (20a).

The inner tube (25a), as shown in FIG. 4, is the innermost layer of the main body (20a). It is partially perforated at a perforation section to distribute hot air into a biomass bed which is in the mesh layer (26a) to dry the biomass. The inner tube (25a) also comprises of a bearing and quick fit at one end of the inner tube (25a). The bearing is used to connect the inner tube (25a) to the quick fit, while the quick fit is used to connect the inner tube (25a) to an air inlet pipe (not shown) which provides hot air from the air heater (200). The bearing is important as it avoids the hot air piping from getting entangled when the inner tube (25a) is rotating during the drying process. The quick fit is used to increase the connection flexibility.

The mesh layer (26a) as shown in FIG. 5, which is the second layer in the main body (20a), is the biomass bed which contains the biomass. The mesh layer (26a) allows hot air from the inner tube (25a) to pass through the biomass bed to dry the biomass, wherein after passing through the biomass bed, the hot air is released as warm air with a high content of moisture before it is recycled back into the biomass dryer (100) to be reused. The mesh layer (26a) uses O-ring support frame to strengthen the cylindrical structure of the mesh layer (26a) by having a perforated mesh folded in circular shape inside the main body (20a) structure. The perforated mesh, which is to keep the biomass inside the circular shape but at the same time allowing hot air passes through it to the outer layer (27a), preferably has a size between 10-mesh to 20-mesh, wherein the size varies according to the biomass particle size. Referring now to FIG. 6, it illustrates the third layer of the main body (20a) which is the outer layer (27a). The outer layer (27a) is used to prevent hot air from escaping into the surrounding when the biomass drying process takes place. Preferably, the outer layer (27a) is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe or any material that is capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 65°C. Besides that, there are 3 samplers (28a) which are at 3 different sampling points of the biomass dryer (100a), wherein at each sampling point, a pipe is directed from the outer layer (27a) through the mesh layer (26a). These samplers (28a) are used to withdraw the biomass sample confined inside the mesh layer (26a). Each sampler (28a) has one open end and one sealed end. At the edge of the sealed end, there is a sample inlet opening to allow the biomass sample to be drawn inside the sampler (28a). The sample inside the sampler (28a) is then taken out from the open end, wherein the sampling purpose is to inspect the biomass conditions during the drying operation.

Moving on to FIG. 7, it illustrates the frame support (30a) and the motor control panel (40a) of the biomass dryer (100a). The frame support (40a), which is in an upright position, is used to support the biomass dryer (100a), wherein it prevents the biomass dryer (100a) from falling off. The motor control panel (45a), which is attached to the frame support (30a), is used to adjust the rotating frequency range of the motor (70a) from a range of 1 rpm to 12 rpm. It is a digital calibrated controller which changes the potentiometer resistance and thus controls the motor rotating speed. The motor control panel (45a) is also connected to the motor (70a) by using direct electrical wire connection.

Referring now to FIG. 8, it illustrates the bottom support (50a), the movable plate (60a) and the motor (70a) of the biomass dryer (100a). The bottom support (50a) and the movable plate (60a) are connected at the bottom part of the frame support (40a). Additionally, the motor (70a) is attached to the movable plate (60a) beneath the bottom support (50a). The bottom support (50a) is suitably made of a metal base with a thick wood top. In the center of the top wood is a hole to let the biomass flow out from the main body (20a), wherein the main body (20a) is placed on top of the bottom support (50a). The biomass that flows out from the main body (20a) is collected using a collection bin or containers. The edge surface of the thick wood on top of the bottom support (50a) is surrounded by a thin layer of plywood configured as a barrier to prevent any instrument such as moisture analyser or portable hygrometer from falling to the ground. However, there is an opening at a corner of the edge surface for cleaning purposes. The movable plate (60a) is attached to a vertically adjustable screw that allows the movable plate (60a) to move up and down. Besides that, the movable plate (60a) also rotates in its radial axis throughout the drying process. The movable plate (60a), which is controlled by the motor (70a), easily controls the biomass flow rate by adjusting the opening at the movable plate (60a). The top, front and side views of the bottom support (50a), movable plate (60a) and motor (70a) of the biomass dryer (100a) are shown in FIG. 9.

The biomass drying process according to the first embodiment of the present invention is explained herewith. Initially, biomass such as paddy, is fed into the biomass dryer (100a) through the receiver (10a) in batch mode. The moist biomass inside the mesh layer (26a) is dried by hot air from a hot air supply such as the air heater (200). The hot air is distributed laterally into the mesh layer (26a) by the perforated inner tube (25a) which is connected directly to the air heater (200). To achieve uniformity in air distribution into the biomass bed, the inner tube (25a) which is also connected to the movable plate (60a) is rotated inside the main body (20a) when the movable plate (60a) rotates. The hot air then carries the moisture from the biomass as warm air away from the biomass dryer (100a) through the warm air outlet (21a), wherein the warm air released from the biomass dryer (100a) contains a high content of moisture.

As for the biomass, it is discharged from a gap at the movable plate (60a). The gap at the movable plate (60a) is adjustable by adjusting the level of the plate by lifting up the drum. The larger the gap, the more biomass is discharged, and thus a shorter retention time. Moreover, the rotation speed of the movable plate (60a) also affects the biomass withdrawal rate. Finally, the dryness of the biomass inside the biomass dryer (100a) is inspected by withdrawing the biomass sample inside the biomass dryer (100a) by using the sampler (28a).

To reduce the energy consumption of the biomass dryer (100a), the energy left in the warm air is recycled back into the biomass dryer (100a), wherein the warm air passes through the moisture absorber (300) to completely remove the moisture it gains from the moist biomass to reduce air humidity before being recycled back into the biomass dryer (100a). After removing the moisture, the compressor (400) is used to pump the warm air and sends the warm air to the air heater (200) to be heated and to be reused again by the biomass dryer (100a) for biomass drying.

Reference is now made to FIG. 10 which illustrates a biomass dryer (100b) according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the biomass dryer (100b) uses a multiple inner tubes (25b) to distribute hot air laterally into the biomass bed (30b) located inside the main body (20b). The biomass dryer (100b) is divided into 3 parts which are the head section, the main body (20b) section and the bottom section which is made of a movable plate (60b). Preferably, the biomass dryer (100b) uses between 2 to 9 inner tubes (25b) with the optimal number of tubes is 9 as it is suitable for a main body (20b) with a drum diameter that is larger than 0.5m. These inner tubes (25b), which are arranged in a circle, extend along the main body (20b) section and are connected to an air-distributor (14b) at the head section and the movable plate (60b) of the bottom section of the biomass dryer (100b).

Referring to FIG. 11 , it illustrates the head section of the biomass dryer (100b), wherein it comprises of a receiver (10b), a rotatable plate (13b) and an air distributor (14b). The receiver (10b) further comprises of a duct (11b) and a valve (12b), wherein the receiver (10b) receives and directs the biomass into the main body (20b) section of the biomass dryer (100b) through the duct (11b), and wherein the valve (12b) is used to control the flow of the biomass into the duct (11b). The rotatable plate (13b) is used as a bearing system, wherein it also rotates when the movable plate (60b) of the bottom section rotates the inner tubes (25b). The rotatable plate (13b) comprises of 9 holes on its surface which are arranged in a circle. These 9 holes fit each inner tube (25b) which is to be connected to the air distributor (14b). The air distributor (14b) comprises of 9 connectors and a bearing system. The bearing system is used to allow the rotation of the air distributor (14b), wherein by allowing the rotation of the air distributor (14b), the air inlet pipe (not shown) which provides hot air from the air heater (200) can be made stationary. Each connector, which is connected to each inner tube (25b), is used to distribute air from a hot air supply. Moving on to FIG. 12, it illustrates the main body (20b) section of the biomass dryer (100b). The main body (20b) section, which is a hollow cylinder made of stainless steel, has an outer and an inner surface. The outer surface is preferably made from solid stainless steel, while the inner surface is preferably made of stainless steel mesh. Other materials that are capable of withstanding the temperature up to 60°C can also be used for the main body (20b). The main body (20b) comprises of a warm air outlet (21 b) at the top of the main body (20b) section, 4 baffles (22b) attached at the inner surface of the main body (20b) that is made of mesh to promote a good mixing, a plurality of holes (28b) on the outer surface of the main body (20b) and 2 sweepers (29b) attached at the bottom of the outer surface of the main body (20b). The sweepers are preferably made of plate or brush to collect the biomass while the plate is rotating.

The warm air outlet (21 b) is used to let the warm air out from the inner tubes (25b) during the biomass drying process, wherein the baffles (22b) are used to hold the inner tubes (25b) in their respective positions. The plurality of holes (28b) are for sampling purposes and become the locations for measuring the temperature of the biomass bed by using a temperature probe which is placed inside main body (20b), while the sweepers (29b) are used to control the flow of the dried biomass output. These sweepers (29b) act as a barrier to the biomass. As the dried biomass falls down to the bottom section of the biomass dryer (100b) due to gravity, wherein the amount of the biomass that falls out depends on the space between the main body (20b) and the movable plate (60b), the biomass that comes out from the main body (20b) is swept by the sweepers (29b) and is directed to the collection bin. The withdrawal of the biomass is continuous if there is a space between the main body (20b) and the movable plate (60b). The number of sampling holes and their locations depend on the desired information on the distribution of the moisture content throughout the main body (20b), wherein preferably, there are 12 holes on the outer surface of the main body (20b).

Finally, the bottom section of the biomass dryer (100b) is shown in FIG. 13 (a). As shown in FIG. 13 (a), the bottom section of the biomass dryer (100b) comprises of 9 inner tubes (25b) attached to a movable plate (60b), wherein the movable plate (60b) does not only rotate in its radial axis throughout the drying process, but also moves up and down. These inner tubes (25b) are perforated with holes which are arranged in spiral form on the inner tubes (25b) surfaces as shown in FIG. 13 (b).

The biomass drying process according to the second embodiment of the present invention is explained herewith. Initially, biomass such as paddy, is fed into the biomass dryer (100b) through the receiver (10b). The receiver (10b) receives and directs the biomass into the main body (20b) section of the biomass dryer (100b) through the duct (11b), wherein the valve (12b) is used to control the flow of the biomass into the duct (11b). The moist biomass inside the main body (20b) section is then dried by hot air from a hot air supply such as the air heater (200).

The hot air distributor (14b) which is connected to each inner tube (25b) distributes the hot air from the air heater (200) laterally by the perforated inner tubes (25b) of the biomass dryer (100b). To achieve uniformity in air distribution into the biomass bed, the inner tubes (25b) which are also connected to the movable plate (60b) are rotated inside the main body (20b) section when the movable plate (60b) of the bottom section rotates. The hot air then carries the moisture from the biomass as warm air away from the biomass dryer (100b) through the warm air outlet (21b), wherein the warm air released from the biomass dryer (100b) contains a high content of moisture.

After the dried biomass is collected via the sweepers (29b), the dried biomass is channelled to a collection bin or container for storage. The plurality of holes (28b) which are for sampling purposes are also used to withdraw biomass sample from the drying bed to inspect the biomass dryness.

To reduce the energy consumption of the biomass dryer (100b), the energy left in the warm air is recycled back into the biomass dryer (100b), wherein the warm air passes through the moisture absorber (300) to completely remove the moisture it gains from the moist biomass to reduce air humidity before being recycled back into the biomass dryer (100b). After removing the moisture, the compressor (400) is used to pump the warm air and sends the warm air to the air heater (200) to be heated and to be reused again by the biomass dryer (100b) for biomass drying. While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specifications are words of description rather than limitation and various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.