Effects of corn kernel properties on predictions of moisture transport in the thin-layer drying of corn
1994
Weres, J. | Jayas, D.S.
A mathematical model was developed to predict moisture content distributions in corn kernels dried in thin layers and was solved using the finite element method. The model included the following factors: moisture removal from the kernel surface corresponding to the boundary conditions of the first and third kind, dependence of the moisture diffusion coefficient on the moisture content, irregularity of the kernel geometry, and nonhomogeneity of the kernel material. The model was used to determine quantitatively the effects of thesefactors on the moisture transport predictions. Computer simulations showed, that the effect of the boundary condition of the third kind was insignificant. Moisture transport was mostly affected by the dependence of the moisture diffusion coefficient on the moisture content. The geometric irregularity and material nonhomogeneity of corn kernels also affected the moisture transport in corn kernels. Moisture content predictions were compared with the published data from literature. The comparison was satisfactory in the middle and final phases of the drying process.
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