Kuivatuskäyrä

Kuivatuskäyrä, meaning "drying curve" in Estonian, refers to a graphical representation of the moisture content of a material as a function of time during a drying process. This curve is a fundamental tool in understanding and optimizing drying operations across various industries, including food processing, textiles, wood, and chemicals.

The drying curve typically shows an initial period where the rate of moisture removal is relatively high. This is often followed by a period where the drying rate slows down considerably. The shape and duration of these phases depend on factors such as the material's properties (porosity, initial moisture content, size and shape), the drying medium's temperature and humidity, and the airflow rate.

Understanding the kuivatuskäyrä allows for the prediction of drying times, the assessment of drying efficiency, and the prevention of over-drying or under-drying, which can negatively impact product quality. Different drying methods, such as convection, conduction, radiation, or dielectric drying, will produce distinct drying curves for the same material. Analyzing these curves helps in selecting the most suitable drying technology for a specific application. Researchers and engineers use kuivatuskäyrä data to develop mathematical models that simulate and control the drying process.