Mathematical modeling of drying of mint in a forced convective dryer based on important parameters

Abstract

Thin layer drying of mint was evaluated using a solar dryer at the university of Biskra. The experimental moisture ratios of the samples were fitted to eight drying models. The drying experiments were carried out on the mint with effect the mass flow rate, which varies from 0.018 to 0.034 kg.s-1. In this part of the study, we cut the mint to virtual median little pieces. The mathematical models were tested with the drying behavior of mint in the laboratory solar dryer. The coefficients of the models were determined by the multiple regression method in the solar dryer to find out the most suitable moisture ratio model. We conclude that the mass flow rate influence onto the coefficients of correlation it's meaning the mass flow it is an important factor. The our model was found as the best model based on statistical parameters of R2 RMSE and χ2. The model is applicable to predict the moisture content of mint during solar drying of mint.