Definition
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Drying is defined as the removal of liquid from a product usually with application of heat.
Rate of Drying Curve.
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Drying process can be divided into three periods
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Initial Adjustment Period.
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Constant drying rate period.
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First falling drying rate period.
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Second falling rate period.
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Initial Adjustment Period (A-B):
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Also called the “Heating up” period.
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In this period the substance gets heat and increases in temperature.
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Drying has not yet started.
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Constant drying rate period (B-C):
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During this period the temperature of the solid and the rate of drying remain constant.
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The moisture evaporating from the surface is replaced by water diffusing from the interior of the solid at a rate equal to the rate of evaporation.
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The moisture content at the end of constant rate (point C) is referred to as the critical moisture content (CMC).
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At CMC, dry spots start appearing and drying rate starts falling.
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First falling drying rate period (C-D):
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This period is also called the period of unsaturated surface drying.
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During this period the rate of evaporation is insufficient to saturate the air in contact with the surface.
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This is because the surface water is no longer replaced at a rate required to maintain continuous film on the surface.
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Between points C and D, the number and area of dry spots continue to increase, and the rate of drying falls steadily.
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Point D is referred to as the second critical point, at this point, the film of surface water has completely evaporated.
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Second falling rate period (D-E):
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At the end of the first falling rate period, the rate of drying falls even more rapidly.
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The plane of vapourization moves From the surface into the body of the solid.
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The evaporation takes place from within the solid and the vapour reaches the surface by molecular diffusion through the material.
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Point E is referred to as the equilibrium moisture content.
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Equilibrium moisture content (EMC):
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Beyond this point drying is not possible as remaining moisture is bound moisture.
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Drying rate here becomes zero.
Commonly Asked Questions.
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Explain theory of drying with the help of a drying curve.