Heat transfer and drying kinetics of tomato pulp processed by cast-tape drying

Cast-tape drying (CTD) is a process to dehydrate suspensions. This study evaluated the influence of heat source and forced air convection on the drying rate and temperature of tomato pulp during CTD. To this, a pulp thin layer was spread on a flexible support with its lower surface in direct contact with a heat source. Similar drying rates and evaporative capacities were observed for both flexible supports and heating media. Steam simplifies the temperature control and equipment construction. CTD is a suitable process for producing dried tomato pulp in short drying times, resulting from high evaporative capacity.