Comparison of different drying kinetics models for single particles

Different kinetic drying models applied to non-shrinking materials are scrutinised and compared. Rigorous mechanistic models are difficult to apply because of the large number of unknown parameters; hence simpler alternatives have been applied instead. This paper focuses on the two most commonly used kinetic models, namely; the diffusion model and the characteristic drying curves. These were compared by plotting the predicted drying curves (moisture content versus time) in the same diagram as a reference curve. The response to different changes in drying conditions and sensibility to extrapolated conditions were tested. The parameters studied were the temperature, velocity and humidity of the gas and the size and initial moisture content of the particles. The comparison was based on two approaches; one theoretical where the reference drying curves were generated by an rigorous drying model; and one experimental where the reference drying curves were measured using a thin-layer kinetics rig. The materials under study were softwood, ceramic clay, silica gel and purolit. The results were promising in the sense that the characteristic drying curves (CDCs) and diffusion model could both predict the response to most changes in external conditions. The predictions for drying above the boiling point were however less accurate than the ones below it, probably due to internal overpressure effects.