THIN‐LAYER DRYING OF DATES

Abstract

ABSTRACT Thin‐layer drying rates of two date cultivars, namely, Sukkari and Sakie were experimentally determined at three drying temperatures 70, 80, and 90C. Three drying models were evaluated for the thin‐layer date data. These were the exponential model, Page equation, and the approximation of diffusion model. The Page equation fitted the data best. Two empirical expressions of Page equation for predicting moisture ratio as a function of drying time and drying temperature for the two date cultivars are presented.