Experimental analysis of the drying kinetics of cork

in this work, we studied the hygroscopic equilibrium of cork by the determining the sorption isotherms, this parameter being very important. The obtained results allowed us to know the cork water content at the equilibrium in a given ambient atmosphere and then we will discuss some theoretical models to correlate these data. In the second part, we present the drying kinetics of this material, obtained in a laboratory dryer with controlled aerothermics conditions. The different drying curves obtained, could be reduced by using the concept of characteristic drying curve. This characteristic drying curve which will be useful for calculating the commercial dryers was empirically interpreted by a five degree polynomial. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.