I have problem with drying of huge ceramic body. I am trying to dry by applying current density. But It was not so successful. I need the references to know more about this method of drying.
With heavy moisture, the resistance offered would be very less, hence control the rated current with minimum voltage applied. Heat developed would be, Heat= (I)(I)R Watts. Current would start dropping with time, as moisture reduces, go on adjusting current to rated permissible, by increasing voltage applied. Current would reduced to zero when dryness is achieved. For measuring, insulation strength applied the voltage, for which insulator is designed for....
We are working on porcelain body. We want to dry a cylinder with 35cm diameter and 150cm length. The voltage is 350 V (DC) and the direction changes every minute.
The problem is that the cylinder does not dry homogenously.The two side of cylinder dry more quickly that the middle. And therefore current decrease.
According to your statement , you are injecting current from the end of the cylinders.
A) please try to inject current at middle and receive the same at the end side of the cylinders and vice versa. if even though it does not, then apply more current injections points with receiving arrangements.
B) if cylinder is hollow then insert continuous strip (or rod which one suitable) within cylinder and apply external conducting plate or cylindrical sheet. now apply the supply across the central inserted strip and external sheet. this may solve your problem.
C) keep your complete cylinder within two conducting plates of sizes 40 x 150 cm. now apply the current.
please note that you are using dielectric type heating and there may be any more way to help you for this.
also the material of the conductor terminals depends upon the humidity and temperature of your porcelain cylinder.
Just something to note and I will also welcome your comments on it: it just occurred to me that, as the water dries off, it will start forming droplets on the surface of the material being dried. This will create an open circuit situation as the current will no longer be able to flow "freely" or continuously. The situation may even lead to "dry-band arcing": arcing in-between droplets and that could damage the material being dried or accelerate its age.
This is just to point out what, in my view, could be the disadvantage of this method.
the voltage applied should be such that the 'dry band arcing' should be avoided.
if there is sandwich of charge (porcelain) between electrodes then the there may not be droplet formation along the surface because only cylinder end sides are out of current flow.