Drying Characteristics of Sea Tangle Using Combination of Microwave and Far-Infrared Dryer

Purpose: The present study is aimed at examining the drying characteristics of sea tangle through a combination of microwave and far-infrared drying experiment and finding the optimal drying conditions. Methods: Sea tangle was cleaned and cut into fine pieces (5mm) before they were subjected to combinational drying by microwave and far-infrared ray. The amount of specimen per drying is 2 kg. The finely cut pieces of sea tangle were preheated in a microwave dryer for three different lengths of time (10, 15, and 20 min). Subsequently, they were dried using a far-infrared dryer at tow temperatures (90°C and 100°C) at an air velocity of 0.8 m/s until the final moisture content reduced to 10%. Results: Sea tangle dried under the condition of 20 min of preheating in the microwave dryer and drying at 100°C by the far-infrared dryer. Of the drying models verified in this study, the logarithmic model showed high accuracy with the coefficient of determination R 2 >0.7825 and RMSE <0.1095. The rehydration ratio of sea tangle was the highest (12.87 g water/g dry matter) under the condition of 15 min of preheating in the microwave dryer and drying at 100°C by the far-infrared dryer. The energy consumption for the combination of microwave and far-infrared drying was the lowest (4.78 kJ/kg water) under the condition of 20 min of preheating in the microwave dryer and drying at 100°C by the far-infrared dryer. Conclusions: Considering the drying time, discoloration during drying, rehydration ratio, and energy consumption for the drying of sea tangle, the optimal drying conditions for high-quality sea tangle are 15 min of preheating in a microwave dryer and drying at 100°C by a far-infrared dryer.