Drying intensification by vibration: fundamental study of liquid water inside a pore

Abstract

Vibration is a promising way to intensify the drying process through heating-up due to viscous dissipation, activation of internal liquid transfer and increase of external transfer. To better assess the possible contribution of these effects, we choose a multiscale approach. This paper is focused on the pore scale, simulated by a capillary tube partially filled with water subjected to sinusoidal vibrations. We studied the displacement of water inside this tube through image analysis. This configuration mimics the moisture transfer inside the pores of a porous media during drying. The experimental device developed in this study is applicable to a wide range of configurations, such as symmetrical or asymmetrical vibrations. Keywords: drying intensification, acoustic vibration, pore scale, symmetrical and asymmetrical signals, image processing.