Numerical and experimental analysis of heat and moisture transfer during drying of Ataulfo mango

A theoretical and experimental study for the drying kinetics of Ataulfo mango slices was carried out. In the study different thicknesses, air drying temperature, maturity degree and non-isotropic mass diffusion were considerate. The 2D temperature and moisture distributions inside the slice were predicted by using a theoretical model. The water effective diffusion coefficient, the convective heat and mass transfer coefficients, the drying curves and the center temperature were getting by the experimental model. A parametric study was carried out in the ranging of air drying temperatures from 50 to 70 °C, slices with thickness of 2–5 mm and maturity degree from 13.2 to 22°Brix. It was found from the experimental results that slices of Ataulfo mango present an isotropic behavior with an uncertainty of 2.47%. The drying rate reduces in 4.5% as 1 mm thickness increase, and decreases in 8.0% for each 1°Brix increased.