Mathematical Modeling of Drying Processes of Selected Fruits and Vegetables

This study investigates the behavior of fruit and vegetable samples during drying. The experimental data are fitted to several different thin-layer drying models. Regression analysis is used to determine model parameters, while statistical indicators serve to evaluate the goodness of fit. The power function model gives the best fit for all examined samples. Based on this model, different drying and heat storage technologies can be combined to ensure that the required residual moisture content of an agricultural product is reached. It is demonstrated on the case of a specific Togolese processing plant that under favorable conditions, fossil fuel consumption can be decreased by 33 %.

Automated summary

The study found that the power function model provides the best fit for all fruit and vegetable samples during drying, and different technologies can be combined to ensure the required moisture content of agricultural products is reached. In a specific Togolese processing plant case, it was demonstrated that fossil fuel consumption can be decreased by 33% under favorable conditions.