Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira (Aug 2022)

Mathematical modeling for drying flint corn in a thin layer

  • Leonardo Alves da Costa,
  • José Leôncio Fonseca de Souza,
  • Rudolf Huebner,
  • Fernando Antônio Rodrigues Filho,
  • André Guimarães Ferreira,
  • Fernando Azalim Júnior

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1678-3921.pab2022.v57.02845
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 57

Abstract

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Abstract The objective of this work was to adjust the coefficients of six mathematical models and to identify the one that best represents the drying of flint corn grains in a thin layer. For this purpose, a drying column was developed to obtain experimental data. Nine tests were performed for each model, using the velocities of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 m s-1 at 40, 50, and 60°C, respectively, for drying air. The thin-layer drying models of Lewis, Page, Thompson, Overhults, Brooker, and Midilli were tested. All adjusted models represent the phenomenon of flint corn drying at 5% probability (χ2 test). After adjusted, the models of Page, Midilli, and Overhults are the best ones for drying corn, with a coefficient of determination equal to 1.000 for all tests and errors lower than 1.0%. For the drying conditions of this work, the n parameter of the model of Page does not depend on the velocity and temperature of drying air, while the k parameter depends only on air temperature, which is confirmed by the analysis of variance. The adjusted model of Page can be used with precision for the prediction of thin-layer flint corn drying.

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