Methods for processing experimental drying kinetics data

This paper provides a review of methods for processing the data obtained fr om drying kinetics rigs and pilot-plant trials, Different methods for fitti ng and smoothing drying curves are compared, aiming to generate curves that are usable In industrial design without losing vital information by oversm oothing. Generally, plots of drying rate need more smoothing than moisture content data. Special care is needed at low drying rates and moisture conte nts. It is shown that some popular methods of processing data, including us e of smoothing programs or fitting to equations, may generate drying curves which are seriously in error. Recommendations are made for reliable method s of processing data; cubic splines have been found to be effective for moi sture-time curves. It is important to retain the original raw experimental data as a cross-check, as smoothing can conceal valuable information.