Abstract
The drying characteristics of buckwheat which contained high moisture in the initial stage were investigated at various drying air temperature (10-50°C) and experimental data were analyzed using an exponential model on the presumption that the drying process can be treated as heat-and-mass transfer on the thin layer. The drying rate was distingished between first and second falling drying rate period. The relationships between drying rate and moisture content, and between moisture ratio and drying time were investigated. The drying constants for various drying temperature were calculated by two different methods and the difference of resultant values in the drying constant were discussed. Finally, the drying constant was expressed as a function of drying temperature in an empirical formula.
