Comparison between the finite differences, finite volume and finite element methods for the modelling of convective drying of fruit slices

Abstract

Three numerical methods, finite differences, finite volume and finite element, were compared to know their convenience in the simulation of convective drying of fruit slices. The mathematical treatment, the stability, the convergence and the sensibility were analysed for each method. The data of the simulations were compared with the data of feijoa dried at 60°C, 5 mm of thickness and air velocity of 0.5ms-1. The error was 7%, 13% and 17% for finite element, finite volume and finite differences respectively. The method selection depends on the software, the required data precision and the use of the model. Keywords: mathematical model; convective drying; numerical methods