Abstract:
Thin-layer drying characteristics of
paddy were examined within the relative humidity range from
30% to 60%. A test chamber has been constructed
with Perspex and continuously flushed with low
humid air to control the inside relative humidly at required levels and several homogeneous thin layer
paddy samples were dried inside the chamber. BG 300, BG 352 and BG 357 paddy varieties
developed by Rice Research and Development
Institute, Bathalegoda, Sri Lanka have been
used in this study. Normalized drying data was transformed into dimensionless parameter called
Moisture Ratio, and fitted with four semi-theore
tical models. Correlation coefficients, standard
errors and residual plots were used as criteria
for evaluating the goodnes
s-of-fit. Of the models
used the two-term exponential model was found
to fit well with the experimental data and is
recommended as the thin-layer drying model for
paddy.
