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Abstract: Drying,
specifically supercritical CO2 (SCCO2) -based drying, is a crucial step in the
manufacture of silica aerogels and is also one of the most time and energy intensive.
The aim of the present work is to elucidate the kinetics of this process in order to
facilitate its acceleration. An apparatus was developed which is capable of continuously
measuring ethanol extraction rates as ... read morea function of various process variables by three
separate and redundant techniques. Results from experimental drying of 220 mm alcogel
annuli (46 mm ID, 56 mm OD) are presented over a range of CO2 flow rates from 1 kg/hr to
5 kg/hr. A concentric annular model was developed which considers the conjugate mass
transfer problem of diffusion within the alcogel, with composition dependent
diffusivity, and convective flow over it. The model is shown to agree relatively well
with experimental data.
Thesis (M.S.)--Tufts
University, 2013.
Submitted to the Dept. of
Mechanical Engineering.
Advisor: Marc
Hodes.
Committee: Chris Rogers, Vincent Manno, and
George Gould.
Keyword: Mechanical
engineering.read less
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