The aim of this study was to investigate and determine the best mathematical models in describing vacuum drying characteristic of pomegranate arils in the range of 55-75 ℃. The vacuum batch dryer used in the evaluati...The aim of this study was to investigate and determine the best mathematical models in describing vacuum drying characteristic of pomegranate arils in the range of 55-75 ℃. The vacuum batch dryer used in the evaluation was successful in drying a thin layer of pomegranate arils from the initial moisture content of 464.02% （d.b.） to 6.18% （d.b.） within 6.5 to 13.5 hr of continuous drying at the above mentioned temperature range. The drying rates increased with an increase in temperature and drying time. Five of the well known semi-theoretical and empirical models were fitted to the vacuum drying of pomegranate arils. The semi-empirical Midilli model has shown an excellent fit to predict drying behavior of the pomegranate arils because this model gave the highest coefficient of determination （RE）, the least chi-square （X2）, and the lowest root mean square error （RMSE）. The total drying occurs during falling period, signifying the influence of moisture diffusion during the drying. The effective diffusivity varied from 1.25× 10^10 to 2.91 × 10^10 m^2/s over the temperature range. Temperature dependence of the diffusivity was well documented by Arrhenius models. The activation energy of moisture diffusion during drying was found to be 40.46 kJ/mol.展开更多
文摘The aim of this study was to investigate and determine the best mathematical models in describing vacuum drying characteristic of pomegranate arils in the range of 55-75 ℃. The vacuum batch dryer used in the evaluation was successful in drying a thin layer of pomegranate arils from the initial moisture content of 464.02% （d.b.） to 6.18% （d.b.） within 6.5 to 13.5 hr of continuous drying at the above mentioned temperature range. The drying rates increased with an increase in temperature and drying time. Five of the well known semi-theoretical and empirical models were fitted to the vacuum drying of pomegranate arils. The semi-empirical Midilli model has shown an excellent fit to predict drying behavior of the pomegranate arils because this model gave the highest coefficient of determination （RE）, the least chi-square （X2）, and the lowest root mean square error （RMSE）. The total drying occurs during falling period, signifying the influence of moisture diffusion during the drying. The effective diffusivity varied from 1.25× 10^10 to 2.91 × 10^10 m^2/s over the temperature range. Temperature dependence of the diffusivity was well documented by Arrhenius models. The activation energy of moisture diffusion during drying was found to be 40.46 kJ/mol.
