Single layer drying behaviour of potato slices in a convective cyclone dryer and mathematical modeling

The main objective pursued in this paper is to investigate the single layer drying behaviour of potato slices experimentally in a convective cyclone dryer and also to perform mathematical modeling by using single layer drying models in the literature. Drying experiments of potato slices with the thicknesses of 12.5 and 8 mm were conducted at inlet temperatures of drying air of 60, 70 and 80 °C and with drying air velocities of 1 and 1.5 m/s. It was concluded that potato slices with thickness of 12.5 mm would dry perfectly in the range of 460-740 min, while those with thickness of 8 mm would dry in the range of 280-520 min in these drying conditions in the convective type cyclone dryer. Additionally, the mathematical model describing the single layer drying curves was determined by non-linear regression analysis, and an approximation of the diffusion model was selected as the most suitable model to describe the drying curve equation of potato slices.