Mathematical modeling of convective drying: Lumped temperature and spatially distributed moisture in slab

The present study describes the modeling and simulation of the drying process. The model considers fundamentals of the drying process and takes internal resistance to moisture into account. The main connotation of this study regards the possibility of employing a new analytical method for simultaneous heat and mass transfer. The proposed model considers the evaporative heat transfer at the surface of product. The validation of the model is made with a set of numerical and experimental results reported in the literature for carrot sliced in slab form. The results reveal that there is nearly perfect match between the temperature and moisture obtained by the analytical model and the numerical solution.