Evaluation of a Moisture Diffusion Model for Analyzing the Convective Drying Kinetics of Lavandula x allardii Leaves

In the present case study, a moisture diffusion model is developed to simulate the drying kinetics of Lavandula x allardii leaves for non-stationary convective drying regimes. Increasing temperature profiles are applied over the drying duration and the influence of temperature advancing rates on the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Computation 2021-12, Vol.9 (12), p.141
Main Authors: Chasiotis, Vasileios, Tzempelikos, Dimitrios, Filios, Andronikos
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Concentration gradient
Convective drying
Dehydration
Design optimization
Diffusion
Diffusion coefficient
diffusion model
drying rate
Finite volume method
Heat resistance
Kinetics
Lavandula x allardii leaves
Mathematical analysis
Mathematical models
Moisture content
Moisture removal
Partial differential equations
Partial pressure
Product quality
Reynolds number
Surface water
Temperature dependence
Temperature profiles
Water vapor
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Summary:In the present case study, a moisture diffusion model is developed to simulate the drying kinetics of Lavandula x allardii leaves for non-stationary convective drying regimes. Increasing temperature profiles are applied over the drying duration and the influence of temperature advancing rates on the moisture removal and the drying rate is investigated. The model assumes a one-dimensional moisture transfer under transient conditions, which occurs from the leaf center to the surface by liquid diffusion due to the concentration gradient developed by the surface water evaporation caused by the difference of water vapor partial pressure between the drying medium and the leaf surface. A numerical solution of Fick’s 2nd law is obtained by an in-house code using the finite volume method, including shrinkage and a variable temperature-dependent effective moisture diffusion coefficient. The numerical results have been validated against experimental data for selected cases using statistical indices and the predicted dehydration curves presented a good agreement for the higher temperature advancing rates. The examined modeling approach was found stable and can output, in a computationally efficient way, the temporal changes of moisture and drying rate. Thus, the present model could be used for engineering applications involving the design, optimization and development of drying equipment and drying schedules for the examined type of non-stationary drying patterns.
ISSN:2079-3197
2079-3197
DOI:10.3390/computation9120141