Modeling some drying characteristics of cantaloupe slices

Abstract

This study investigated thin layer drying of cantaloupe slices under different drying conditions with initial moisture content about 18.53 (d.b.). Air temperature levels of 40, 50, 60 and 70°C were applied in drying of samples. Fick´s second law in diffusion was applied to compute the effective moisture diffusivity (Deff) of cantaloupe slices. Minimum and maximum values of Deff were 4.05×10-10 and 1.61×10-9 m2/s, respectively. Deff values increased as the input air temperature was increased. Activation energy values of cantaloupe slices were found between 30.43 and 36.23 kJ/mol for 40°C to 70°C, respectively. The specific energy consumption for drying cantaloupe slices was calculated at the boundary of 1.01×105 and 9.55×105 kJ/kg. Increasing in drying air temperature in different air velocities led to increase in specific energy value. Results showed that applying the temperature of 70°C is more effective for convective drying of cantaloupe slices. The aforesaid drying parameters are important to select the best operational point of a dryer and to precise design of the system.