Nanostructured silica based xerogels and aerogels are prepared by sol-gel technology, using methyltrimethoxysilane as precursor. The influence of the drying method and conditions on the microstructure of the obtained materials is investigated, since the drying stage has a critical influence on their porosity. Two types of drying methods were used: atmospheric pressure drying (evaporative), to p...

Experiments were undertaken to study drying kinetics of different shaped moist food particulates during heat pump assisted fluidised bed drying. Three particular geometrical shapes of parallelepiped, cylindrical and spheres were selected from potatoes (aspect ratio = 1:1, 2:1, 3:1), cut beans (length: diameter = 1:1, 2:1, 3:1) and peas respectively. A batch fluidised bed dryer connected to a he...

This paper presents an experimental evaluation of the first commercial scale dry-sort-redry (DSRD) strategy for drying of 2x4 Pacific coast hemlock (PCH) lumber. The DSRD strategy is a methodology designed to reduce final moisture content variability in kiln dried lumber by complementing conventional drying with radio frequency vacuum (RFV) drying technology. The strategy’s objective is to avoi...

orange (citrus cinensis) is one of the most important among citrus fruits. the thin layer drying kinetics of orange (thompson variety) slice was here experimentally investigated in a convective dryer and through mathematical modeling and by use of thin layer drying models. drying characteristics of oranges were determined using heated ambient air at temperatures from 40 to 80 °c and velocities ...

One important problem in lumber drying is to maintain the lumber moisture content distribution within certain minimum and maximum values. Over-drying and under-drying are common causes for lower grade recovery and dimensional stability problems. It is known that both over-drying and underdrying can be reduced by sorting green lumber into different moisture content groups and sorting also offers...

In this paper the kinetics of osmotic dehydration of carrot and the influence of this pretreatment on the post-drying processes and the quality of obtained products are analysed. Osmotic dehydration was carried out in the aqueous fructose solution in two different ways: with and without ultrasound assistance. In the first part of the research, the kinetics of osmotic dehydration was analysed on...

Survival of probiotic bacteria during drying is not trivial. Survival percentages are very specific for each probiotic strain and can be improved by careful selection of drying conditions and proper drying carrier formulation. An experimental approach is presented, comprising a single-droplet drying method and a subsequent novel screening methodology, to assess the microbial viability within si...