Abstract：To solve the problems of high energy consumption and imprecise drying process control during alfalfa drying process, the drying characteristics of alfalfa stalks with the hardest drying difficulty were investigated in different drying stages with stem diameter and drying process parameters as research factors. The key effect factors on energy consumption and drying efficiency were researched to determine the optimal dryingsetting of different drying stages. The results show that all drying rates are experienced with the accelerated and decelerated drying stages under different drying parameters. For the drying energy consumption, the decreasing effect sequence is followed by wind speed, stem diameter, drying temperature follow and flattening coefficient. For the drying time efficiency, the deceasing effect sequence is followed by drying temperature, stem diameter, flattening coefficient and wind speed. The stem diameter has significant effect on drying energy consumption and efficiency, which shows that it is very important to change the drying parameters reasonably when the growth and yield of alfalfa are different for drying energy saving and efficient improving. To reduce the energy consumption, the drying strategies are advised with wind speed of 1.0 m·s-1, high drying temperature in the early stage, low drying temperature in the middle stage and rewarming at the end of drying. To improve the time efficiency, the drying strategies are advised with flattening coefficient of 90% and drying temperature varying in wave pattern from high to low. In each drying stage, the optimum drying temperature for energy consumption is lower than that for time efficiency.
高东明， 罗钢. 干燥参数对苜蓿各含水率阶段干燥特性及能耗的影响[J]. 江苏大学学报（自然科学版）, 2020, 41(6): 685-693.
GAO Dongming, LUO Gang. Effect of drying parameters on drying characteristics and energy consumption during alfalfa drying process[J]. Journal of Jiangsu University(Natural Science Eidtion)
, 2020, 41(6): 685-693.
