Mathematical modelling of drying of thin layer rough rice

In this study, suitability of several drying models available in literature in defining thin layer drying behaviour of long-grain rough rice has been examined by using statistical analysis. For this purpose, drying models have been fitted to experimental data by means of the coefficients in the models for the drying air temperatures 40 degrees C, 45 degrees C, 50 degrees C, 55 degrees C, and 60 degrees C and at an airflow rate of 1.5 ms(-1) and 3.0 ms(-1). The results show that the Midilli et al. is the most appropriate model for drying behaviour of thin layer rough rice. Furthermore, among the two parameter models, the Page models and, among the three parameter models, the Verma et al. and the diffusion approach models give better fit. The coefficients a and b, the drying coefficient k and the exponent n in the Midilli et al. model can be expressed as a function of temperature and velocity of the drying air. (C) 2008 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.