Vacuum drying equipment typically removes water or removes and recovers solvents from a moist material - hence; the equipment is called a dryer. The equipment is also sometimes used to change a material's molecular and physical chemistry (called a phase change) in specialized operations such as chemical reactions and polymer solid stating. Vacuum drying is typically a batch operation.
Vacuum drying can be applied in a range of processes in several industries, including chemical, pharmaceutical, food, plastics, and metal powders. This article first discusses vacuum drying benefits and limitations and dryer components and operation, then explains the differences between tumble and agitated vacuum dryers and how you can select one for your application.
