Improved Finite Element Modeling of Heat and Mass Transfers in Single Corn Kernels During Drying

A. J. Kovacs, and M. Nemenyi
University of West Hungary
Institute of Biosystems Engineering
Mosonmagyarovar
GYMS, Hungary
Published in 2011

Our Institute at the West Hungarian University is dealing with modelling of heat physical treatments in agricultural (biological) materials. The essential key in order to gain accurate results is to know the driving forces during heat and mass transfers. In case of mass transfer processes the application of moisture gradient as driving force gives false results. Therefore, we use water potential gradients as the driving force. However, this needs exact physical measurements: the water potential curves of the materials have to be determined.

The COMSOL Multiphysics 4.1 software is used for the calculation the coupled heat and mass transfer in corn kernels.