A CONTRIBUTION TO THE CHARACTERISTIC DRYING CURVE CONCEPT: APPLICATION TO THE DRYING OF PLASTER

ABSTRACT

Implicit equations relating the dimensionless drying rate to the reduced moisture content for porous non-hygroscopic slabs have been determined. This study is based on the receding evaporative front model and on the assumption of a parabolic moisture content profile in the diffusional zone of the wet region. The characteristic functions derived depend on the relative position of the receding evaporative front. Two cases were considered : the drying of thick products and the drying of thin products. It has been observed that the relationships corresponding to the C.D.C obtained for thick products depend on the initial. On the other hand, it was observed that experimental CDC. of plaster slabs determined for many thicknesses and various plaster textures depend strongly on these two parameters. Furthermore, the model presented gives good results only for thin products.

Key words and phrases:

• Characteristic drying curve
• evaporative front
• plaster drying