SIMULATION AND DESIGN OF A TUNNEL DRIER

Food drying process in tunnel drier was simulated and optimized in ope rating conditions from thick bed model and experimental drying curves. The grapes have choosen as a food material, because they have typical drying characteristic curves. Then, we describe a hot air drier and w e present a model composed with the conservation equations and thin la yer drying rate. A numerical resolution allows to establish the drying front displacement for several initial conditions. Most of consumed e nergy to be used for air heating was analysed.