DRYING OF SOLIDS; ESTIMATION OF THE MATHEMATICAL MODEL PARAMETERS

In order to determine physical meaning of a thin-layer mathematical model parameter, the Page model was modified and tested on numerous experimental data. Applicability of the model was tested on the drying kinetics data, X(t), of 11 different types of the porous materials and dried in a convective, vacuum and/or microwave dryers under the predetermined external process conditions. During the entire drying time the drying kinetics of all the investigated materials and heating methods were successfully correlated with the modified Page model. The evaluated values of a new parameter, t(k), corresponded to the time at which diffusion, as a governing mechanism of moisture movement through the material, started. The results were confirmed by the pore size distribution of some materials.