Mathematical modeling of drying characteristics of chilies in a rotating fluidized bed technique

Abstract

Problem statements: The present study investigates experimentally the thin layer drying of chilies in the Rotating Fluidized Bed (RFB) technique and its mathematical modeling. Approach: The layer's height was fixed at 4±0.5 cm. In addition, the drying air velocity and the centrifugal acceleration ratio were fixed at 2 m sec-1 and G = 2.5 (106 rpm), respectively. With 6 data sets for drying air temperature between 70 and 120°C, the samples were dried from 350±5%db down to 10±1%db. Results: The drying time is in the range of 69-257 min. The chilies from sunlight appear light red. On the other hand, from the RFB, they appear dark red but can be marketable. Conclusion: The comparisons of five outstanding models are predicted. The Modified Page model gives good agreement with prediction of change in moisture ratio. © 2011 Science Publications.