Mathematical modeling and experimental assessment of the cast-tape drying

Abstract

Cast-tape drying (CTD) process was evaluated by an experimental approach, obtaining drying curves, convective coefficients of heat (hh) and mass (hm) transfer, time-temperature, and pulp shrinkage kinetics for tomato pulp at 2, 3, and 4 mm thick. A heat and mass transfer model with moving border described CTD. Pulp thickness was reduced by 90%, under hh and hm of 55 W m−2 K−1 and 0.05 m s−1, respectively. Evaporative capacity ranged between 8 and 15 kg m−2 h−1, and drying time between 8 and 24 min for 2 and 4 mm thick, respectively. Coupled experimental and theoretical analysis of CTD clarified the relative importance of different phenomena controlling the process.