Modelling the Kinetics, Thermodynamic and Physical Properties of Coconut (<i>Cocos nucifera</i> L.) during Convective Drying

Abstract

The drying kinetics, thermodynamic properties, and energy consumption of five potential coconut cultivars identified by Ghana's CSIR-Oil Palm Research Institute were studied. Drying was carried out in a convectional dryer using four temperatures (70, 80, 90 and 100^oC) and 2.0 m/s air velocity. The asymptotic model was adjudged the best fit model in predicting moisture content based on the highest coefficient of determination (0.9589-0.9998) and lowest residual sum of squares (8.427-252.61), chi-square (0.52671-16.8409) and root mean square error (2.8744-3.4421). Temperature caused between 66.8-96.5% variations in moisture diffusivity. Thermodynamic study revealed endothermic and non-spontaneous reactions in the drying system resulting from enthalpy change and Gibbs free energy change. Meanwhile, a direct relation was established among higher spontaneity and higher temperature. Despite the high drying temperatures used for the experiment, internal cellular composition was not affected as a result of excellent rehydration capacity. In effect, the Vanuatu TThe drying kinetics, thermodynamic properties, and energy consumption of five potential coconut cultivars identified by Ghana's CSIR-Oil Palm Research Institute were studied. Drying was carried out in a convectional dryer using four temperatures (70, 80, 90 and 100^oC) and 2.0 m/s air velocity. The asymptotic model was adjudged the best fit model in predicting moisture content based on the highest coefficient of determination (0.9589-0.9998) and lowest residual sum of squares (8.427-252.61), chi-square (0.52671-16.8409) and root mean square error (2.8744-3.4421). Temperature caused between 66.8-96.5% variations in moisture diffusivity. Thermodynamic study revealed endothermic and non-spontaneous reaction in the drying system resulting from enthalpy change and Gibbs free energy change. Meanwhile, a direct relation was established among higher spontaneity and higher temperature. Despite the high drying temperatures used for the experiment, internal cellular composition was not affected as a result of excellent rehydration capacity. In effect, the Vanuatu Tall was adjudged as the best coconut variety based on its lower energy consumption and activation energy, shorter drying time and higher moisture diffusivity. All was adjudged as the best coconut variety based on its lower energy consumption and activation energy, shorter drying time and higher moisture diffusivity.