What is the main purpose of conducting latent cooling during a drying process?

The primary purpose of conducting latent cooling during a drying process is to remove moisture from the airstream. Latent cooling involves the extraction of moisture from the air, which is crucial in effectively reducing humidity levels in the environment being dried. This process is particularly important when dealing with water-damaged materials, as excess moisture can lead to further damage such as mold growth or structural weakening.

By lowering the humidity through latent cooling, the air becomes capable of holding less moisture, thus facilitating a more efficient drying process. As the moisture is removed from the air, it can enhance the overall effectiveness of the drying equipment being utilized, as drier air can absorb more moisture from the materials being dried.

The other options, while related to aspects of the drying process, do not encapsulate the main purpose of latent cooling. For example, while increasing energy efficiency and preventing thermal expansion are considerations during drying, they are not the primary focus of latent cooling. Similarly, enhancing the temperature of incoming air is not the goal of latent cooling, as this method is specifically about moisture removal rather than temperature modification.