Thermal Diffusivity of Date Paste

Abstract

Thermal diffusivity of date paste as a function of moisture content was experimentally determined using two transient methods, namely, the Dickerson and the heat penetration curve methods. Within the moisture content range 10.5 to 55.3% (wet basis), date paste thermal diffusivity fell within the ranges of 0.96 x 10-7 to 1.24 x 10-7 and 0.98 x 10-7 to 1.57 x 10-7 m2/s as determined by the Dickerson method and the heat penetration curve method, respectively. Thermal diffusivity values obtained from the Dickerson method were closer to values estimated using two popular empirical expressions. Experimental data were statistically fitted to yield two linear expressions allowing prediction of thermal diffusivity of date paste as a function of moisture content within the temperature and date paste moisture content ranges used.