Evaluation of some thin-layer drying models

Abstract

In this paper, a new approach for selection of a thin-layer drying model based on serial statistical criteria was proposed. The experimental data set of thin-layer drying kinetics of apple slices at five different drying air temperatures (40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 C) and three drying air velocities (1, 2 and 3 ms-1) were obtained on the experimental setup, designed to imitate an industrial convective dryer. The drying data were fitted with twenty-three published thin-layer drying models (Lewis, Page, Modified Page, Henderson and Pabis, Modified Henderson and Pabis, Logarithmic(Asymptotic), Two term, Two term exponential, Midilli, Diffusion approach, Wang and Singh, Weibull, Aghbashlo, Verma., Grigoriaş, Parabolic, Hll, Demir, Logarithmic,Logistic, Vega-Lemus, Jena-Das and Alibas). In order to find which model gives the best results, some numerical experiments were made. For each model and data set, the performance index was calculated and models were ranked afterwards. After that, several statistical rejection criteria were checked. The performed analysis shows that the Alibas model could satisfactory describe the drying curve of an apple.

Keywords

• drying
• apple
• thin-layer drying models
• statistical criteria