Thin Layer Drying Model of Sorghum

Purpose: This study was performed to define the drying characteristics of sorghum by developing thin layer drying equations and evaluating various grain drying equations. Thin layer drying equations lay the foundation characteristics to establish the thick layer drying equations, which can be adopted to determine the design conditions for an agricultural dryer. Methods: The drying rate of sorghum was measured under three levels of drying temperature ($40^{\circ}C$, $50^{\circ}C$, and $60^{\circ}C$) and relative humidity (30%, 40%, and 50%) to analyze the drying process and investigate the drying conditions. The drying experiment was performed until the weight of sorghum became constant. The experimental constants of four thin layer drying models were determined by developing a non-linear regression model along with the drying experiment results. Result: The half response time (moisture ratio = 0.5) of drying, which is an index of the drying rate, was increased as the drying temperature was high and relative humidity was low. When the drying temperature was $40^{\circ}C$ at a relative humidity (RH) of 50%, the maximum half response time of drying was 2.8 h. Contrastingly, the maximum half response time of drying was 1.2 h when the drying temperature was $60^{\circ}C$ at 30% RH. The coefficient of determination for the Lewis model, simplified diffusion model, Page model, and Thompson model was respectively 0.9976, 0.9977, 0.9340, and 0.9783. The Lewis model and the simplified diffusion model satisfied the drying conditions by showing the average coefficient of determination of the experimental constants and predicted values of the model as 0.9976 and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.0236. Conclusion: The simplified diffusion model was the most suitable for every drying condition of drying temperature and relative humidity, and the model for the thin layer drying is expected to be useful to develop the thick layer drying model.