Browsing by Author "Lovelyn N. Onuoha"

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    Drying Technology
    (Taylor & Francis, 2013-04-05) Lovelyn N. Onuoha; Ndubisi A. Aviara; Toyin A. Abdulrahim; Ahmed T. Suleiman c
    A mathematical model for predicting moisture profile in parboiled paddy during drying was developed using the prolate sphe roidal coordinate system. The model was solved using the Crank Nicolson central difference scheme and the variation of its predictive potential with paddy cultivar was investigated. Parboiled paddy dry ing was carried out at 60C using a cabinet tray dryer. The variation of the moisture ratio of different paddy cultivars (Banki, De-gold, and Liberia) with time and drying rate and with time and moisture content was determined. Model validation was carried out using residual plots, root mean square deviation, and coefficient of deter mination. The parboiled Banki, De-Gold, and Liberia paddy culti vars had equivalent diameters of 3.73, 4.75, and 3.68mm, prolate spheroidal geometric dimensions (equatorial and polar radii) of 1.16 and 4.78mm, 1.22 and 5.45mm, and 3.10 and 3.92mm, and effec tive moisture diffusion coefficient of 2.81934 10 10, 5.71515 10 10, and 3.77336 10 10m2/s, respectively. Drying of parboiled paddy occurred in the falling rate phase with initial period of induc tion and critical moisture content that varied with cultivar. The residual plots showed that the model was acceptable for predicting moisture transport in all the cultivars during drying. Comparison of the observed and predicted moisture ratios showed low root mean square deviation and high coefficient of determination, which varied with cultivar indicating that the predictive potential of the model was cultivar dependent.