An exergy recuperative module was developed and applied to biomass drying. The proposed drying process has an energy consumption 1/20 that of a conventional heat recovery drying system. Experimental work was conducted to confirm the details of the self-heat recuperation technology concept. A high drying rate and a stable heat exchange were found through the experimental drying results. Furthermore, the heat pairing was confirmed in the drying system for the first time. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier B.V.