Determination of the thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity of neem seeds by inverse problem method

Abstract

Determination of the thermal conductivity and the specific heat capacity of neem seeds (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) usingthe inverse method is the main subject of this work. One-dimensional formulation of heat conduction problem in a spherewas used. Finite difference method was adopted for the solution of the heat conduction problem. The thermal conductivityand the specific heat capacity were determined by least square method in conjunction with Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm.The results obtained compare favourably with those obtained experimentally. These results are useful in the analysis ofneem seeds drying and leaching processes.

Keywords

• Neem seeds
• thermophysical properties
• thermal conductivity
• specific heat capacity and inverse problem.