Authors : Boubekri Abdelghani , Benmoussa Hocine and Mennouche Djamal
Abstract: A study of the indirect solar drying of date palm fruits, Deglet-Nour variety, was carried out assuming that the air temperature varies by constant stages. Experimental curves of thin layer convective drying (37, 50, 60 and 75°C) and measurements of daily temperature variation collected in solar drying room were considered to obtain a modelled temperature curve. Considering 9 h of drying per day, global kinetic was simulated numerically by using model equations and built by section relatively to the corresponding stage of temperature. Two daily temperature cycles were applied and many initial moisture contents (0.40 -0.80 kg kg 1 d.b) were considered. The results obtained, by confrontation with the available literature, reflect the drying behaviour under variable conditions with discontinuity of drying operation by night. It was highlighted that standardized moisture for the trade of the product (26% w.b) was reached in less than one day of drying and that the daily temperature cycle prevailed by stage of 60°C would lead to a final product with an optimal state of quality.
Boubekri Abdelghani , Benmoussa Hocine and Mennouche Djamal , 2007. Solar Drying of Date Palm Fruits Simulated as Multi-Step Temperature Drying . Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 2: 1700-1706.