Drying Process Modelling for Heavy Clay Products Using a New Thin Layer Drying Model

Abstract

Drying results, determined on samples made of masonry clay from the locality "Banatski Karlovac", are presented in this study. Experimental investigations were carried out in a laboratory recirculation dryer in which drying parameters (humidity, temperature, and velocity) could be programmed, controlled and monitored during drying process. Several mathematical models were used for drying process modelling. New semi-theoretical thin layer drying model, for heavy clay products, was developed and presented in this study. It represents a modification of Pages and logarithm's thin layer drying models. Results presented in this study have shown that new thin layer drying model describes and correlates the best experimentally determined drying process.