Mathematical modeling for drying flint corn in a thin layer

Abstract

The objective of this work was to adjust the coefficients of six mathematical models and to identify the one that best represents the drying of flint corn grains in a thin layer. For this purpose, a drying column was developed to obtain experimental data. Nine tests were performed for each model, using the velocities of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 m s^-1 at 40, 50, and 60°C, respectively, for drying air. The thin-layer drying models of Lewis, Page, Thompson, Overhults, Brooker, and Midilli were tested. All adjusted models represent the phenomenon of flint corn drying at 5% probability (χ² test). After adjusted, the models of Page, Midilli, and Overhults are the best ones for drying corn, with a coefficient of determination equal to 1.000 for all tests and errors lower than 1.0%. For the drying conditions of this work, the n parameter of the model of Page does not depend on the velocity and temperature of drying air, while the k parameter depends only on air temperature, which is confirmed by the analysis of variance. The adjusted model of Page can be used with precision for the prediction of thin-layer flint corn drying.