Mathematical Modeling of Mass Transfer Operation of Cuminum Cyminum Seed for Determining of Moisture Diffusion Coefficient During the Drying Process

In this research, moisture diffusion coefficient of Cuminum cyminum seed was determined as a function of its moisture content during thin layer drying process. This work was performed with two planar and cylindrical shape assumptions for the seed. Then the mathematical modeling of the mass transfer operation during the drying of the seed was developed using finite element method and its results compared with the experimental moisture content of the seed. Correlation coefficient and root mean square error in planar shape assumption were 0.992 and 0.0188 respectively whereas these two statistical criteria in cylindrical shape assumption were 0.973 and 0.11, respectively. Therefore this study revealed that higher correlation and lower error was found for the planar shape as compared to cylindrical shape assumption.