Microwave Assisted Vacuum Drying and Endpoint Determination Using Mass Spectrometry, Part II, On-Line Moisture Content Profiling

Quantitative methods were developed to compute on-line conventional loss-on-drying (LOD) profiles from mass spectrometry (MS) measurements. Good agreement between calculated LOD values and actual LOD measurements were obtained for single and multiple solvent wet cakes. Characteristic drying curve profiles were determined for calcium carbonate, sand, cellulose, starch, and silica gel solids, and the corresponding critical moisture contents were estimated. Although this work was developed for microwave drying, the methods apply to conventional dryer monitoring as well.