Numerical and experimental study of dryer in forced convection

A numerical simulation model is developed to predict the forced convection performance of a dryer. This model takes into account the shrinkage phenome non of the products during the drying process. The experimental results of the potato drying are obtained in climatic conditions similar to conditions found in natural open-air drying when the dryer is fed by air heated by a solar air flat plate collector. After a study of the influence of parameter s of the drying air on the product during the drying process, we expose the experimental results and compare them with those calculated by the theoret ical model. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.