Knowledge of the state of thermodynamic equilibrium between
the surrounding air and the solid is a basic requisite for drying, as it
is for any similar mass transfer situation. The first stage to model
and simulate a drying process is to estimate the equilibrium
moisture content (Xe), which is important information to delineate
the drying curves as a function of time. Data on moisture isotherms
are essential in modelling and to simulate this unit operation being
able to optimize the drying equipment (Marinos-Kouris and
Maroulis, 2006).
Thermophysical properties of foods are required in order to
analyze thermal process conditions and to design equipment for