A METHOD OF DETERMINATION OF CONCENTRATION-DEPENDENT EFFECTIVE MOISTURE DIFFUSIVITY

A method based on Fourier series solution to Fick's diffusion equation has been proposed to evaluate effective diffusivity (D) as a function of moisture content in agricultural materials undergoing shrinkage du ring drying process. The shrinkage kinetics of the particulate was use d to correlate its instantaneous size (spherical equivalent diameter) as a function of material moisture content. A computer program was use d to evaluate D based on shrinkage kinetics and experimental drying da ta and relate it to moisture content. The method was used to obtain mo isture diffusivity data for thin layer drying of grape and corn.