﻿Plastics Technology: Drying ParametersDrying Parameters Heat is the first fundamental drying parameter for all polymers. Heat is the driving force in drying. If you don&rsquo;t heat the pellet it will not release its moisture. Hygroscopic polymers have a strong attraction for water and the water molecules are bound to the polymer chains. Heat causes the molecules to move about more vigorously, weakening the forces that bind the water molecules to the polymer chains. Above certain temperatures, the force that binds the water molecules to the polymer chains are reduced permitting free movement of the molecules to aid the drying process. Non-hygroscopic resins do not adsorb moisture internally into the pellet, however, moisture can collect on the surface of the pellet. &nbsp;Applying heat becomes an important part of removing surface moisture when this happens. Click here for more details on hygroscopic and non-hygroscopic resins. Dew Point is the second fundamental drying parameter for drying hygroscopic polymers using most drying methods. Dew Point is the temperature at which moisture in the air begins to condense. The low vapor pressure (dew point) of the dry air surrounding the pellet causes the freed moisture molecules to migrate to the surface of the pellet. Drying Time is the third fundamental drying parameter. Plastic pellets do not dry instantaneously. They must first be heated to allow the water molecules free movement. Then, there must be sufficient time for the water molecules to defuse to the surface of hygroscopic pellets or for surface moisture to evaporate from the surface of non-hygroscopic materials. Airflow is the forth, fundamental drying parameter. Airflow carries heat or dry heated air to the material in the drying hopper. In the case of non-hygroscopic materials, you must force hot air over and around the pellets to remove surface moisture. With hygroscopic materials, you must force low dew point heated air over the material to make the molecules of moisture disengage from the polymer chains and move to the surface of the pellets where the airflow carries&nbsp;moisture away. The volume of dry air must be sufficient to develop and maintain the desired temperature profile within the drying hopper. If four hours drying time is required, you must maintain the drying temperature for the four-hour level within the drying hopper. If the volume of airflow is reduced, the temperature profile will be reduced. &nbsp; uuid:eb788607-d8be-402e-9461-ae308375fd37;id=15Copyright © Gardner Business Media, Inc. 20182018-08-17T15:01:08Z