DETERMINATION OF PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF POMEGRANATE DURING BULKDRYING IN AN INERT MEDIUM FLUIDIZED BED DRYER ASSISTED INFRARED HEATSOURCE

摘要

A laboratory scale infrared—fluidized bed dryer with inert materials was developed and drying of pomegranate seeds was carried out at infrared power levels of 346, 726 and 1470, drying air temperatures of 40, 50 and 60°C, inlet drying air velocity of 3, 4 and 5 m/s. It was found that air temperature, inert material and air velocity had a low effect on physical properties and therefore, shrinkage, density and effective moisture diffusivity are obtained and some correlations were developed for variation of these properties of pomegranate seeds during drying in a fluidized bed assisted infrared heat source.