Numerical Simulation of the Drying of a Deformable Material : Evaluation of the Diffusion Coefficient

ABSTRACT

We are interested in the simulation of heat and mass transfer processes accompanying the drying of a deformable agricultural product. We have used an implicit method with classical finite differences to resolve the set of equations. The identification of the diffusion coefficient within a thin carrot layer is carried by trial and error on two analytical forms. These two forms take into account moisture content, temperature and shrinkage of the product.

The drying rates of thin layer of carrot pieces are measured in a laboratory tunnel dryer. These drying curves are established by varying some airflow parameters such as velocity, temperature and relative humidity. The internal and surface temperature of the slab were recorded by means of therrnosensors. The simulated solutions are in agreement with the experimental results.