CIDCA   05380
CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION Y DESARROLLO EN CRIOTECNOLOGIA DE ALIMENTOS
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Computational modelling of the transport phenomenons during low temperature in-bin drying and aeration of amaranth grains
Autor/es:
A.M. PAGANO; R.H. MASCHERONI
Lugar:
Rosario
Reunión:
Encuentro; ENIEF 2013; 2013
Institución organizadora:
AMCA
Resumen:
In the present work a full model for the in-bin low-temperature drying of amaranth grains
based on the finite elements method (FEM) was developed, taking into account re-analyzed specific
relationships developed in previous works for description of properties of grains, drying kinetic and
equilibrium moisture content. Due to the nature and symmetry of the problem of in-bin drying and
aeration of amaranth grains, FEM model was performed considering a one-dimensional domain. The
discretization was made through a structured mesh density having 96 Lagrange quadratic elements.
Coupled One-Dimensional Transport Equations for Moisture Mass, Heat and Momentum Transfer in
both phases (solid and gas) were planned and solved using the following Application Modes of
COMSOL Multiphysics 3.5a: transient analysis of Convection and Diffusion (for air and grain) from
Multiphysics Module; transient analysis of General Heat Transfer (for air and grain) from the Heat
Transfer Module; and state analysis of fluid flow with Darcy´s Law (for air) from the Earth Science
Module. The grain bed was considered unique-like material with effective properties (i.e., diffusivity,
permeability). Experimental data and relationships of thermo-physical properties, equilibrium
moisture content, heat of sorption, drying kinetics and resistance to airflow determined in previous
works were used to define the Constants, Scalar and Global Expressions in the definition of the
COMSOL FEM model. Voids fractions and superficial velocities were specified, and pressure-drops
through the grain bed, and rates of heat and mass transfer from the kernels to the air, were determined.
The simulations of the FEM model provided useful information about temporal and spatial moisture
content in the deep bed of amaranth grains.