Abstract – Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) is the most important
commercial natural source in ASEAN countries. Mostly natural
rubber (NR) industries were followed by old traditional method.
However, understanding in the rubber drying process occurred.
Then, this research aims to study effect drying conditions on
kinetics and quality of air dried sheet (ADS) rubber. The five
different drying strategies were carried on by green house drying
(GH), green house and natural convention (GH-NC) drying, open
sun and natural convention (OS-NC) drying, infrared radiation
(IR) drying and hot air (HA) drying. Initial moisture content of
fresh rubber sheet was varied between 30 and 50% dry-basis and
dried samples had final moisture content of 0.5% dry-basis.
From the experiments, it was found that falling drying rate stages
and mathematical models of Approximation of diffusion model
can predict the behavior of ADS rubber was good. ADS rubber
was dried by GH-NC drying longer period than those of OS-NC
drying, GH drying, HA drying and IR drying, respectively.
Additionally, drying at a low drying temperature has a low
specific energy consumption compared to those drying of high
temperature. To determine qualities following the highest
standard Thai rubber (STR5L) grade, the results showed that
quality of samples was acceptable in market level.