Fuzzy logic application to drying kinetics modelling

A Fick’s model that includes a Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy model to estimate the effective diffusivity was analyzed. The modelling of drying kinetics on mango trough this diffusional-fuzzy model was compared with the theoretical Fick’s model and the empirical Peleg and Weibull models. The identification and validation was performed from experimental drying curves of ripe mango slices (Mangifera indica L. cv. Tommy Atkins) at constant air velocity (4 m/s) and different drying temperatures (40, 50, 60 and 70 oC). The fuzzy sets for the antecedent of Takagi-Sugeno system were identified by the Gustafson-Kessel clustering algorithm and approximated by membership functions of piecewise exponential form. On identification and validation, the diffusional-fuzzy model showed best results than the Fick’s model, whereas it showed little difference with the Weibull and Peleg models. The diffusional-fuzzy model keeps the interpretability of Fick’s model, improves the process simulation and avoids phenomenon and property considerations which require additional experimental and modelling work.