Drying kinetic simulation of clay tiles made from the raw material having less clay fraction

Abstract

In order to describe the internal moisture rate and to take all different mechanisms of moisture movement into account, it is suitable to use effective diffusivity as a measure of moisture rate, irrespectively of the mechanisms really involved. This means that all different mechanisms and driving forces for internal moisture transport are lumped together and introduced into effective moisture diffusivity. Hence, diffusion equations are retained and reused with the effective diffusivity coefficient as a measuring parameter of internal moisture ratio. In our previous studies we have presented the calculation method which assumed constant diffusivity. The next goal was to estimate effective diffusivity at various moisture contents, in a real case of non-linear drying curves, and to predict drying kinetic. In our last study we have developed a model for determination of the variable effective diffusivity and identification of the exact transition points between possible drying mechanisms. In this paper we have tried to develop more accurate tool for determination of time dependent effective moisture diffusivity. An analytical model and computing procedure were developed to evaluate mass transfer properties and describe drying kinetic of clay tiles having less clay fraction. The proposed procedure was validated with experimental drying data. Presented results have demonstrated that the proposed dying model can be applied for the accurate description of experimental drying kinetics and a reliable estimation of effective diffusivity.