Analyzing the Process of Seaweed Drying in a Drying Cabinet

Seaweed is a promising organic fuel source due to its rapid growth rates, efficiency as a carbon sink, and pH resistance. It is a potential renewable fuel source since it can be transformed into high-value fuel by using either thermochemical processes such as gasification, or anaerobic digestion. However, drying the seaweed is necessary to combust, pyrolyze, or gasify seaweed. In this study, we focus on the drying process. To address this, a biomass drying cabinet was designed, constructed, tested, and experimentally evaluated. During drying runs, the temperature inside the cabinet and the moisture content of seaweed were measured. The goal of this design was to reduce the moisture content of seaweed to the optimal range for gasification-between 15% to 20%. We demonstrate the drying of fresh seaweed with an initial moisture content of around 80% to as low as 12% after 22 hours. Bladderwrack is the type of seaweed that is used in this study. Based on the results of the tests, around 19 hours of drying is needed to reduce the moisture content of seaweed to the target range (15%–20%). In conclusion, moisture reduction in Bladderwrack seaweed was analyzed and the design of the seaweed drying cabinet was evaluated. Based on our results modifications to achieve more homogeneous drying throughout the cabinet are proposed.