Title: Mathematical modelling of combined process drying by using bond graph approach

Authors: Hatem Oueslati; Salah Ben Mabrouk; Abdelkader Mami

Addresses: Laboratory of Analysis and Command Systems, National Engineering School of Tunis, P.O. Box 37, 1002, Tunis El Manar, Tunisia; Laboratory for Energy and Thermal Process, Centre for Research and Technologies of Energy, P.O. Box 95, 2050 Hammam-Life, Tunisia ' Laboratory for Energy and Thermal Process, Centre for Research and Technologies of Energy, P.O. Box 95, 2050 Hammam-Life, Tunisia ' Laboratory of Analysis and Command Systems, National Engineering School of Tunis, P.O. Box 37, 1002, Tunis El Manar, Tunisia

Abstract: The main objective of this work is to quantify the energetic interest of combined drying process of natural products. This method of drying is realised in a climatic wind tunnel, seat of a flow of hot air and in the presence of a radiation source. A mathematical model that describes the phenomena of heat and mass transfers during the drying of a wet agricultural product has been determined by the use of the pseudo-bond graph methodology. Such methodology was very appropriate for this industrial process since it allows good management of the non-linearity present in the system. Some drying tests were realised on tomatoes and experimental results are compared with theoretical results for validation of the developed model.

Keywords: bond graph modelling; convection; moisture content; radiation; simulation; temperature; mathematical modelling; combined drying process; mass transfer; heat transfer; agricultural products; tomatoes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESMS.2015.070108

International Journal of Engineering Systems Modelling and Simulation, 2015 Vol.7 No.3, pp.177 - 185

Received: 23 Sep 2013
Accepted: 07 Mar 2014
Published online: 27 Jun 2015 *

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