Abstract
First convectional thin layer drying of two fig (Ficus carica L.) varieties growing in Morocco, using partially indirect convective dryer, was performed. The experimental design combined three air temperature levels (60, 70 and 80 °C) and two air-flow rates (150 and 300 m3/h). Fig drying curve was defined as a third-order polynomial equation linking the sample moisture content to the effective moisture diffusivity. The average activation energy ranged between 4699.41 and 7502.37 kJ/kg. It raised proportionally with the air flow velocity, and the same patterns were observed for effective moisture diffusivity regarding drying time and velocity. High levels of temperature (80 °C) and velocity (300 m3/h) lead to shorten drying time (200 min) and improve the slices physical quality. Among the nine tested models, Modified Handerson and Pabis exhibited the highest correlation coefficient value with the lowest chi-square for both varieties, and then give the best prediction performance. Energetic investigation of the dryer prototype showed that the total use of energy alongside with the specific energy utilization (13.12 and 44.55 MWh/kg) were inversely proportional to the velocity and drying temperature. Likewise, the energy efficiency was greater (3.98%) in drying conditions.
Highlights
First convectional thin layer drying of two fig (Ficus carica L.) varieties growing in Moroccan, using partially indirect convective dryer, was performed
Numerous studies dealt with innovative indirect solar dryer, such as the photovoltaic-thermal hybrid solar reported by Slimani et al.[7], where the results showed the effectiveness of the used configuration, with low electrical power requirements
This study aims to : (1) study the fig drying kinetics using two of the most cultivated varieties in Morocco, (2) investigate the effect of drying temperature and velocity on the fig drying kinetics, (3) determine the characteristic drying curve (CDC) of each fig variety, (4) calculate the effective diffusivity and the average activation energy, (5) fit the fig drying curves using several semi-theoretical and theoretical models in order to select the one providing the highest prediction throughput resolution, and to (6) determine the specific thermal consumption and overall thermal efficiency of the dried used
Summary
First convectional thin layer drying of two fig (Ficus carica L.) varieties growing in Moroccan, using partially indirect convective dryer, was performed. The indirect solar convective drying may become a more convenient alternative for small exploitations in rural sector and other areas where electricity is scarce and in regular supply[3] Likewise, it can reduce wastages, improve dried products quality and is economically advantageous compared to traditional drying methods[6]. Numerous thin layer equations exist in the literature and are useful for investigating drying of several agricultural products, such as, a pricot14, mullbery15, Strawberry13, eggplant16, citrus17, banana[18] and cherry[19] These models were useful in describing the drying kinetics of numerous products under different aerothermal conditions and to estimate their drying time. They serve to upsurge the drying efficiency and to generalize drying curves for the design and operation of dryers
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