Abstract
Drying kinetics of apple cubes (side 8.8 mm) were experimentally determined at
-10, 0 and 10ºC and 1, 2, 4 and 6 ms-1, without (AIR) and with (AIR+US) power
ultrasound application (20.5 kWm-3, 21.9 kHz). The experimental results obtained showed
that air velocity, temperature and US application affected the drying process in different
way. Thus, the increase of air temperature reduced the drying time while a small effect of
the air velocity was observed. Regarding the application of power ultrasound, it reduced
the drying times for all temperatures and air velocities tested shortening the drying time
up to 80%. Significant interactions between the three factors (velocity, temperature and
power ultrasound) were found
