In this study, the process of drying of thin films on a continuously moving
flat plate which occurs in ink and coating solvents is examined theoretica
lly. For simplicity, it is assumed that during the drying period the solven
t has porous media and on the drying surface the vapour pressure of the eva
porating liquid remains at a quasi-saturated value corresponding to the tem
perature of the liquid. Under these assumptions, two relationships which gi
ve the time rate of both the solvent temperature and the drying rate are ob
tained, depending on the drying air, surface, and solvent properties. The t
heoretical results are compared with some experimental data and found to be
satisfactory particularly for the total drying time. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sci
ence Ltd. All rights reserved.