Since freeze-drying is mass transfer controlled process, continuous heating does not accelerate the rate of water removal (George and Datta, 2002).
Therefore, in the conventional freeze drying systems, it is difficult to significantly increase the rate of drying without compromising product quality.
Hence, it would be of practical importance if an alternative freeze drying method with shorter drying time, lower energy consumption and producing desirable product quality is developed.
accelerate
rate
removal
continuous heating
mass transfer controlled process
conventional