Finite difference schemes comparison on the drying process of a banana

Resumo

Drying is an ancient method for preserving fruit and vegetable crops. It has been used effectively to
extend the lifespan of agricultural products and decrease post-harvest losses. Drying, or dehydration, consists in
lowering the vegetable’s moisture content by evaporation. This procedure reduces microorganisms’ reproduction
and other reactions that would result in rapid deterioration of organic matter. Therefore, it conservates food for
longer periods of time. During drying, complex phenomena occurs then mathematical modeling and simulation are
adequate tools to study the product’s behavior. In this instance, this work aims to compare three Finite Difference
schemes (Crank-Nicolson, Dufort-Frankel and Euler explicit) on how suitable they are for describing the behavior
of a banana during drying. The numerical results obtained were compared to experimental data.