Study on drying characteristics of corn based on 3D model

Abstract

Abstract In this study, the moisture diffusion process and mass transfer resistances for the drying process of corn were studied numerically. A 3D mathematical model for the heat and mass transfer of the hot air drying of corn was established. The heterogeneity of the corn kernels' physical structure was designed by multi-component modeling of the corn geometry. The distributions of the temperature and moisture inside the kernel during the drying process were simulated by COMSOL Multi physics software. The effects of drying air temperature, relative humidity, and wind velocity on the mass transfer process of drying corn were analyzed. The pericarp resistance comprised the majority of the mass transfer resistance in the drying process. The drying air temperature significantly reduced pericarp resistance. The higher the wind velocity was, the lower the boundary layer resistance.