Mathematical Modeling of Thin Layer Drying of Moringa Oleifera by a Combined Microwave and Heat Pump Drying

Abstract

AbstractThe study was performed to determine the mathematical modeling of thin layer drying model, the effective moisture diffusivity and the activation energy of Moringa during a combined microwave and heat pump drying process. The thin layer drying tests were conducted at three different of drying temperature levels of 35, 40, and 45 °C and microwave power levels of 270, 385 and 525 W. Eight different thin layer drying models were fitted to the experimental data.The Page model was the most adequate model for describing the thin layer drying of Moringa. Effective moisture diffusivity during drying of Moringa varied from 0.71 × 10−8 to 1.63 × 10−8 m2/s. The activation energy values varied from 34.99 to 47.01 kJ/mol over the range of temperature and microwave power.KeywordsMoringa oleiferaMicrowaveHeat pumpThin layer drying