Kinetics and modeling of star fruit (Averrhoa carambola L.) drying in a tray dryer

Kinetics and modeling of star fruit (Averrhoa carambola L.) drying in a tray dryer. In this work, drying curves were obtained for the star fruit (Averrhoa carambola L) in a tray dryer. From theses curves, drying rates and diffusivity data were also obtained and semi-theoretical models were adjusted. The drying curves were obtained using a tray dryer with temperatures of 50, 60 and 70 degrees C and an air flux of 1.5 m s(-1). The Page, Henderson & Pabis and Exponential models were fitted to the experimental data by non-linear regression. All fitted models presented high determination coefficients (R-2). The Page model showed the best fit. It was observed that effective diffusivity, calculated by Fick's law, increased with temperature.