Mathematical Model Of Thin-Layer Drying Process In A Plantain Sample

This research was focused on the selection of the appropriate thin-layer models that best described the drying characteristics of the French horn plantain used in the experiment. The drying of the 5mm thickness size plantain samples occurred at 40oC, 50oC, 60oC and 70oC temperatures until the equilibrium condition was attained. The experimental moisture ratio values at each temperature were fitted to Lewis, Page and Modified-page thin-layer models. The Lewis model has average chi square and average coefficient of determination of 0.0012 and 0.9802 respectively while Modified Page has 0.0009 and 0.9879 respectively. The results show that Page model has the least average chi-square (Χ2 ) value and highest coefficient of determination (R2 ) value of 0.0008 and 0.9922 respectively. Therefore, Page model best described the drying characteristics of the plantain sample within 40oC- 70oC temperature range.