Real-time simulator for a hybrid convective-fir fruit dryer

Abstract

A LabView-based software simulation program for a hybrid convective-FIR dryer for the drying of apple slices is introduced. The simulator incorporates all the aspects of the drying mechanism and is contrasted with an experimental dryer in order to validate many different drying parameters. The simulator is an initial attempt to gauge the effectiveness of drying in a global sense. The software routines can be further modified and tailored as more is learned from the drying method throughout the drying cycle. Comparative results of the simulated and experimental systems are presented.