Solar drying of bananas: mathematical model, laboratory simulation, and field data compared
2000
Phoungchandang, S. | Woods, J.L.
A mathematical model for the solar drying of bananas was developed using a numerical solution procedure to generate a computer simulation. The solution incorporated terms for solar absorption, long-wave emission, natural or forced convection, and evaporation. The model was in good agreement with laboratory results obtained under artificial lights and also field data from researchers in Thailand. The model showed drying to be insensitive to ambient relative humidity but sensitive to factors affecting banana temperature. Reducing exposure to wind was shown to increase banana temperature and so reduce drying time by typically 15%, while also lowering the final moisture content achievable. The results are potentially useful to producers.
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