Dehydration of Garlic Slices by Combined Microwave-Vacuum and Air Drying

Combination of microwave-vacuum drying and air drying was investigated as a potential mean for drying garlic slices. The sample was dried by microwave-vacuum until the moisture content reached 10% (wet basis), and then by conventional hot-air drying at the temperature of 45°C to final moisture content less than 5% (wet basis). Pungency, color, texture, and rehydration ratio of garlic slices dried by this method were evaluated and compared with those dried by freeze drying and conventional hot-air drying. The comparison showed that the quality of garlic slices dried by the current method was close to that of freeze dried garlic slices and much better than that of conventional hot-air dried ones. The lab microwave-vacuum dryer which the materials to be dried could be rotated in the cavity was developed by the authors.     

Effect of Microwave-Vacuum Drying on the Carotenoids Retention of Carrot Slices and Chlorophyll Retention of Chinese Chive Leaves

Microwave-vacuum drying, and combined microwave-vacuum with air or vacuum drying were investigated as potential methods for drying green and high-carotenoid vegetables of Chinese chive leaves and carrot slices. The samples were dried by microwave-vacuum until the moisture content reached about 20% (wet basis), and then by conventional air drying at the temperature of 45-50°C or conventional vacuum drying at the temperature of 55-60°C or by continued microwave-vacuum drying at lower power level to final moisture content about 6% (wet basis). The carotenoid retention of carrot slices and chlorophyll retention of Chinese chive leaves, dried by these methods, was evaluated and compared with those dried by freeze-drying and conventional hot-air drying. The comparison showed that the carotenoid retention of carrot slices and chlorophyll retention of chive leaves, dried by the current methods, was very close to or even as much as those dried by freeze-drying and much better than those dried by conventional hot-air. Blanching was not necessary when using microwave-vacuum drying or combined microwave-vacuum with conventional hot-air drying or vacuum drying, because the activity of enzymes which were responsible for the degradation of color was greatly reduced with extremely rapid decreasing of moisture, and because oxygen was absent in microwave-vacuum drying.     

Dehydration of Concentrated Ganoderma lucidum Extraction by Combined Microwave-Vacuum and Conventional Vacuum Drying

Combination of microwave-vacuum drying and conventional vacuum drying was investigated as a potential method for drying concentrated Ganoderma lucidum extraction. The Ganoderma lucidum was extracted by hot water (60–65°C) and then concentrated to moisture of about 70% (wet basis) in a rising-film evaporator. The concentrated sample was dried by microwave-vacuum until the moisture content reached 10% (wet basis), and then by conventional vacuum drying at the temperature of 55–60°C to final moisture content about 6% (wet basis). The retention of polysaccharide and triterpenes of Ganoderma lucidum dried by this method were evaluated and compared with those dried by freeze drying and conventional vacuum drying alone. The comparison showed that the quality of extraction dried by the current method was close to that of freeze-dried extraction and much better than that of conventional vacuum-dried ones.     

Dehydration of Concentrated Ganoderma lucidum Extraction by Combined Microwave-Vacuum and Conventional Vacuum Drying

Combination of microwave-vacuum drying and conventional vacuum drying was investigated as a potential method for drying concentrated Ganoderma lucidum extraction. The Ganoderma lucidum was extracted by hot water (60-65°C) and then concentrated to moisture of about 70% (wet basis) in a rising-film evaporator. The concentrated sample was dried by microwave-vacuum until the moisture content reached 10% (wet basis), and then by conventional vacuum drying at the temperature of 55-60°C to final moisture content about 6% (wet basis). The retention of polysaccharide and triterpenes of Ganoderma lucidum dried by this method were evaluated and compared with those dried by freeze drying and conventional vacuum drying alone. The comparison showed that the quality of extraction dried by the current method was close to that of freeze-dried extraction and much better than that of conventional vacuum-dried ones.     

Combined Microwave-Vacuum and Freeze Drying of Carrot and Apple Chips

A combination of microwave-vacuum (MWV) drying and freeze drying was investigated as potential means for drying carrot and apple chips. The sample was first dried by microwave-vacuum to dehydrate some amount of internal free water and then by freeze drying to a final moisture content of less than 7% (wet basis). Chemical properties (carotene and vitamin C retention) and physical properties (shrinkage, color, texture, and rehydration ratio) of carrot and apple slices dried by this method were evaluated and compared with those dried by freeze drying alone, MWV drying alone, and conventional hot air drying, respectively. The comparison showed that the carotene retention of carrot slices and the vitamin C retention of apple slices dried by the current method were close to those of freeze-dried carrot and apple slices and much better than those of conventional hot air–dried ones. The samples prepared by the current method exhibited very close rehydration capacity, color retention, and texture with those of the freeze-dried ones but with a little higher shrinkage. However, the samples still showed the attractive external appearance without marked warp.     

PULSED MICROWAVE-VACUUM DRYING OF FOOD MATERIALS

ABSTRACT

Microwave drying of food materials has been investigated over several years as a potential means for reducing the total drying time. However, some quality loss almost always accompanied when foods were dried completely using microwaves due to nonuniform temperature and moisture distribution. Some strategies used to improve dried product quality include combination of microwave and conventional hot air drying. pulsed or intermittent drying, and microwave-vacuum drying. Combination of pulsing and vacuum drying is a useful technique to maximize energy use efficiency and product quality especially for temperature sensitive products such as fruits. Some results of pulsed, microwave-vacuum drying of cranberries are presented. Pulsed drying is more energy efficient than continuous drying. In pulsed drying, the longer the pulsing ratio (i.e. longer power-off time in relation to power-on time) was more energy efficient. The quality of pulse-dried product was also generally better than that of continuous-dried product. The cycle power-on time and pulsing ratio should be carefully selected to obtain maximize the benefits of pulsed, microwave vacuum drying     

THE RELATIVE INFLUENCE OF DIELECTRIC AND OTHER DRYING TECHNIQUES ON THE PHYSICO - MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF A PHARMACEUTICAL TABLET EXCIPIENT. PARTI: COMPACTION CHARACTERISTICS.

The relative Influence of nine techniques for drying wet granulated microcrystal-lline cellulose (MCC) on the subsequent compaction characteristics was studied In terms of the tensile strength and corrected work of failure of the tablets. Wet granulation resulted in a substantial decrease in compatibility. However, the drying technique used was found to affect the degree of loss in compatibility. In general, microwave-vacuum drying using the “high” process type resulted in the production of granules with the highest compatibility followed by freeze drying and fluidized bed drying. Granules dried under ambient conditions, and granules tray dried to “just dry” or “over dried” conditions resulted In tablets possessing approximately comparable compatibilites, with the poorest compaction characteristics being exhibited by vacuum dried granules, in addition It was found that use of a “low” drying process type during microwave- vacuum drying yielded granules with inferior compaction characteristics to those dried by the “high” process type. Radio frequency drying was found to yield granules which produced tablets having slightly inferior tensile strength to tray dried material, although the tablet work of failure values were comparable. The effect of drying technique on the subsequent compaction characteristics was not found to be directly related to the moisture content of the granules.     

DEHUMIDIFICATION DRYING OF HIGH-MOISTURE ROUGH RICE IN A RADIAL-FLOW,CIRCULAR BIN

Abstract

An experimental radial-flow, circular bin dryer with a dehumidifier was fabricated and tested for rough rice drying. Results showed that high-moisture paddy could be dried to 14% moisture content (wet basis) over a 24 h drying span at an average drying rate of 0.5%/h. The open-cycle system's specific moisture extraction rate and the dehumidifier's coefficient of performance were within the usual range of values cited for similar conventional systems or equipment. The quality of the dehumidifier-dried and naturally dried paddy was similar with respect to minimum grain Assuring, The system was found to be a technically feasible, more energy-efficient and safer alternative to electrical resistance heating in the conditioning of ambient air for drying under humid tropical conditions.     

2种方式干燥的天然橡胶干燥特性之研究

为探讨微波干燥天然橡胶新技术，分别在温度115℃下，采用电热烘箱产生热空气和微波干燥装置干燥湿天然橡胶胶粒，对二者的干燥特性及硫化胶性能进行对比分析研究。结果表明，微波干燥只需13．467min就可使胶料含水量降至0．791％，热空气干燥则需211min。天然橡胶微波干燥和热空气干燥主要包含失水率加速期、失水率减速期、失水率相对恒速期3个失水阶段。整个干燥过程中，微波干燥失水率较大，而热空气干燥失水率比较小。微波干燥天然橡胶硫化胶的耐热氧老化性能得到显著提高：其老化前后拉断伸长率变化率（-35％）和拉伸强度变化率（-59％）明显高于热风干燥天然橡胶硫化胶的拉断伸长率变化率（-62％）和拉伸强度变化率（-89％）。     

Evaluation of the usefulness of serial combination processes for drying of apples

Abstract

Serial combination drying processes are currently studied as alternatives to conventional drying processes. Compared to freeze-drying (FD), serial combination drying appears to be faster and less expensive, while providing better product quality than hot-air drying (HAD) and microwave-vacuum drying (MVD) as previously demonstrated for carrots. Using the example of carrots, it has also been shown that the drying front moves radially outwards over the course of FD. This unexpected behavior was suggested to originate from the carrots’ heterogeneous structure. It was hypothesized that apple pieces behave differently. Here, this hypothesis was proven by using micro-computed tomography measurements of partly freeze-dried apple pieces. In order to improve the drying process of apple pieces, several single and combination drying processes were carried out. Processes were evaluated by using drying time and sample quality as relevant parameters. Sample quality was determined by analyzing the 3D-structure, rehydration behavior, color, and ingredient retention. Results showed that single MVD is a well suitable drying technique for apple pieces, producing dried products of equal quality to FD. Different from carrots, serial combinations are not necessary to improve the quality of dried apple pieces. Nonetheless, especially a combination of HAD and MVD was useful to obtain specific structures such as puffed pores that did not result from single MVD.     

Freeze Drying of Apple Slices with and without Application of Microwaves

In this study, Fuji apple slices were dehydrated using freeze drying (FD) combined with microwave assisted with vacuum drying (VMD). The optimal parameter for the diversion point of moisture content from FD to VMD process was at the moisture level of 21%, and for VMD the optimal parameter for vacuum pressure was at 9.15 kPa and microwave power density was at a level of 3.18 w/g. The results show that the two-step technique can significantly reduce total FD time required by up to 40%, while the nutritional value of the dried apple chips remained unchanged compared to FD used alone.     

Temperature Changes during Microwave-Vacuum Drying of Sliced Carrots

Abstract

The temperature changes during microwave-vacuum drying of sliced carrots were investigated. Sliced samples were dried to 7–10% moisture content (wet basis) at a wide range of microwave power and vacuum pressure levels. The experiments showed that for sample thickness less than 8 mm, the core temperature of the sample was the same as its surface temperature, with uniform temperature distribution within the sample. However, for sample thickness more than 8 mm, temperature gradient developed along the thickness of the sample. The experiments also showed that, with the decrease of moisture content X _w (dry basis), for samples with thickness ≤ 8 mm, the drying process of sliced carrots experienced three distinct periods: a warming-up period (X _w  = 7.68) without removal of moisture when the product temperature increased linearly with drying time until it reached the corresponding saturation temperature of water in the food at the vacuum pressure; a constant temperature period (2 ≤ X _w  < 7.68) in which most of moisture evaporated and flowed out of the sample efficiently with little resistance; and a heating-up period (X _w  < 2) in which the drying rate decreased and sample temperature increased rapidly. The mathematical models for predicting sliced sample temperature were also developed based on the energy conservation and regression of the experimental date.     

Drying characteristics and water dynamics during microwave hot-air flow rolling drying of Pleurotus eryngii

Abstract

The aim of this study was to improve the drying uniformity and quality of Pleurotus eryngii by using the combination of microwave drying and hot-air flow rolling drying. The moisture content, drying uniformity, and water migration of P. eryngii during microwave hot-air flow rolling drying (MARD) were analyzed in detail. The temperature distribution images were obtained via infrared thermal imaging techniques and the relationship between relaxation time and signal amplitude were obtained via low-field nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and imaging (LF-NMR/MRI). The curves of signal amplitude with moisture content changes were fitted by a linear model with good linearity correlation. It was found that the hot-air and rolling bed could improve the drying uniformity of microwave drying. And the free water was found to transform into immobilized water and bound water during the drying process. Only a small amount of water was left in the dried P. eryngii in the final stage. The results could provide supportive information for improving the uniformity and quality of the drying processes of the edible fungi.     

Combined ultrasound and infrared assisted conductive hydro-drying of apple slices

Abstract

Conductive hydro-drying also known as Refractance Window drying is a relatively new drying technology, which uses hot water to carry thermal energy to materials to be dehydrated. It has a high retention of heat sensitive quality parameters (vitamins, antioxidants, and color) with better energy efficiency than freeze-drying as well as many other conventional drying methods. A new ultrasound and infrared assisted conductive hydro-dryer (UIACHD) was developed to increase drying rate while reducing required hot water temperature and increasing the drying material thickness. The goal of this study was to evaluate the performance of the new dryer and to compare the performance of a pilot scale continuous UIACHD with a freeze-dryer and a cabinet dryer in drying apple slices. The physiochemical characteristics of the dried apple slices including flavonoid content, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, vitamin C content and color were measured. In addition, the energy consumption and energy efficiency of the dying methods were evaluated. Results showed that combining ultrasound and infrared with conductive hydro-drying can result in higher drying rates and lower product moisture content. Quality of UIACHD dried apple slices was close to the freeze-dried products and it was significantly better than the cabinet dried products. Moreover, the energy efficiency of UIACHD was considerably better than the cabinet dryer and the freeze-dryer. The results of this study showed that combining ultrasound and infrared with conductive hydro-drying can lead to an energy-efficient process with good quality retention ability.     

Effect of infrared pretreatment on low-humidity air drying of apple slices

The dried apple is used in the preparation of weaning foods and bakery products. The current drying processes, especially hot air (HA) drying, still face the problem of longer processing time and product quality degradation. The low-humidity air (LHA) drying can be an option to retain product quality in heat-sensitive food such as apple. The present work focuses on the effect of pretreatment of apple slices with potassium metabisulfite and infrared (IR) waves on drying characteristics when subjected to LHA drying and comparing the product quality with conventional hot air and freeze drying (FD). Pretreatment with IR waves reduced the drying time by nearly 23 and 17% in LHA and HA drying, respectively. The results indicated that IR-treated and LHA-dried slices retained nearly 82–90 and 72–74% of ascorbic acid and total phenolic content, respectively and was comparable to FD slices. The drying time for LHA was nearly 37% lesser than that for HA drying. LHA-dried apple slices had better color and rehydration ratio compared to FD- and HA-dried slices.     

不同干燥方式制备白果粉的性能比较

天然产物白果会因干燥方式的不同,而使得干燥白果粉性能有所差别。本研究分别采用喷雾干燥(SP)与真空冷冻干燥(FD)对白果浆进行干燥处理。然后对两种干燥白果粉的性能(含水量、颗粒度、色泽、蛋白质质量分数)进行对比来比较各自的优越性。喷雾干燥采用参数:风量120 m³/h,进料浓度8%(质量分数),进气温度205℃,出气温度100℃,雾化器转速32000 r/min。真空冷冻干燥先在-40℃下预冻4h后,再在真空度300 Pa下-50℃低温干燥48 h。结果发现含水量SP相似文献   

太阳能-除湿-常规分段组合木材干燥工艺优化

为降低木材干燥能耗,通过对杨木进行太阳能-除湿-常规分段组合干燥,即含水率40%以上采用太阳能进行预干,25%—40%采用除湿干燥,25%以下采用常规干燥,并与常规干燥进行干燥能耗和木材质量的对比。结果表明,分段组合干燥比常规干燥节能19%左右,而且干燥质量和常规干燥基本一致。分段组合干燥充分利用了三者各自的优势,从而达到节能的目的。     

陶瓷坯体不同干燥方式的对比研究

分别采用普通热风、远红外和微波干燥方式对陶瓷坯体的干燥过程进行实验研究,研究不同干燥方法对干燥速度、坯体内外温差的影响。结果表明,热空气干燥主要靠水分浓度差实现,内外温差较大;远红外线干燥的坯体内外温度均匀,恒速阶段的干燥速度是热风干燥恒速阶段速度的1.2倍;微波干燥主要靠温度差实现水分扩散,最大干燥速度可达4.26%/min(干基),约为热风干燥速度的12倍。将含水量为22wt%的陶瓷坯体干燥至恒重,普通电热干燥的运行成本最高,约为远红外干燥的1.5倍和微波干燥的4.2倍。分析了远红外干燥和微波干燥在陶瓷工业应用的可行性,指出了需要解决的技术难题。     

Optimal Control of the Secondary Drying Stage of Freeze Drying of Solutions in Vials Using Variational Calculus

Abstract:

The problem of operating freeze drying of pharmaceutical products in vials loaded on trays of freeze dryer to obtain a desired final bound water content in minimum time is formulated as an optimal control problem. Two different types of freeze dryer designs were considered. In the type I freeze dryer design, upper and lower plate temperatures were controlled together, while in the type II freeze dryer design, upper and lower plate temperatures were controlled independently. The heat input to the material being dried and the drying chamber pressure were considered as control variables. Only the scorch temperature was considered as a constraint on the system state variables during the secondary drying stage, because all the free water content (frozen water) is removed from the solid matrix during the primary drying stage of freeze drying. Necessary conditions of optimality for the secondary drying stage of freeze drying process in vials were derived and presented by using rigorous multidimensional unsteady-state mathematical models. The theoretical approach presented in this work was applied in the freeze drying of skim milk. Significant reductions in drying times of the secondary drying stage of the freeze drying process in vials were observed and more uniform bound water and temperature distributions in the material being dried were obtained compared to the conventional operational policies.     

Studies on Decreasing Energy Consumption for a Freeze-Drying Process of Apple Slices

The shape, color, flavor, and rehydration capacity of freeze-dried (FD) products are all better than other dried products. However, the energy consumption during FD is very high, which limits the application of this drying method for common materials. In this article, microwave vacuum drying (MWVD) was applied before or after FD to decrease the energy consumption during FD. Moreover, energy consumption was divided into two parts: valid and invalid energy consumption. Apple slices were used as an example to calculate the saving percentage of invalid energy consumption by comparing combination drying with FD. Apple slices freeze dried for 8.28 h first and then dried by MWVD have the best appearance, with a savings of 39.20% in invalid energy consumption. But apple slices freeze dried for 6 h first followed by MWVD have the highest savings of invalid energy consumption, 54.02%, while still maintaining an acceptable appearance.