Experimental evaluation of the microwave drying of leather

The microwave drying of industrially prepared leather has been experimentally investigated on a laboratory scale. The experiments were performed at three different levels of microwave heating power. Measuring the mass of the sample through the drying duration, the kinetic drying curves were obtained. For correlation of experimental results the exponential model X = (a-X(eq)). exp(-b . t(d))+X(eq) and its differential form has been applied. Results obtained show a high level of correlation, and a strong relationship between applied microwave power and drying time (rate), type of leather sample and their pretreatment (vacuum and sidewise dewatering).