Relationship between Technological Parameters of HXD, Expansion Rate of Cut Lamina and Cigarette Quality

To further improve the expansion rate, cut rags of several brands of Virginia-type cigarettes were processed with HXD under different conditions. The results showed that: 1) the expansion rate of cut rag increased with the increase of input moisture content and air temperature; 2) when the input moisture content was 22%, the expansion rate of cut rag, the physical index and smoke index of cigarette were comparable with those dried by a cylinder dryer; 3) the expansion rate of cut rag was raised by increasing steam flow within the tested range; 4) the cigarette weight and tar delivery decreased with the increase of input moisture content of cut rag and air temperature, however, nicotine and carbon monoxide deliveries of the cigarette basically unchanged; 5) the input moisture content of cut rag suitable to medium and low price cigarettes was 24% and 28%, respectively. However, the cut rag for premium cigarettes was unfavorable to be dried with HXD.