Simulation of deep bed drying of carrots

Abstract

Drying of carrots in hot air was studied. First, experiments on thin layer drying were carried out by using various air conditions. Then, an equation for carrot drying in a thin layer was developed using an exponential model. Heat and mass balances on air and on product were used to predict their changing characteristics during drying. This model was used to simulate carrot drying in a deep bed. A good agreement between experimental and calculated values was obtained except for the air temperature at the outlet. It was found that the experimental value is lower than the calculated one. This may be due to measurement difficulty and the complexity of several phenomena occurring during drying, which are not taken into account in the model.