Mathematical modeling on the thin layer drying kinetics of cassava chips in a multipurpose convective-type tray dryer heated by a gas burner

The drying kinetics of cassava chips in a newly developed multipurpose convective-type tray dryer heated by a gas burner (consisting of four drying compartments) was studied. The temperature of the drying air was 50 °C, and drying loads were 8 kg and 12 kg. Drying of cassava chips occurred in both heating and falling periods. It was found that cassava chips dried faster in the drying compartments that were closer to the heat source, that is, the first to the fourth drying compartments, consecutively. Twelve thin layer drying models were placed to the experimental moisture ratio data. The models were compared based on their coefficient of determination (R²), reduced mean square of deviation (χ²), and root means square error (RMSE) between experimental and predicted moisture ratios. From all the mathematical models investigated, the Page and Midilli et al. models satisfactorily described the drying behavior of cassava chips in all drying compartments with drying loads of 8 kg and 12 kg, respectively.