Experimental Study of Drying Kinetics of Sage in a Drying Tunnel Working in Forced Convection

Abstract

Sage (salvia officinalis) is among the most consumed aromatic herbs in Morocco. The present work examines the effect of drying conditions (drying air velocity, drying air temperature and air moisture content) on drying kinetics of sage in a laboratory drying tunnel working under air controlled conditions. The results showed, that temperature is the main factor in controlling the product drying rate. The expression of the drying rate is determined empirically from the characteristic curve of drying (C.C.D). This kind of formula is necessary for programs simulating solar drying systems.