10.2.6 Representation of the sorption behavior of a product using the temperature/dew point difference | |||||
Another way of representing the equilibrium relationships between a hygroscopic product and the water vapor content of the ambient air is to state the temperature/dew point difference, which is defined as the difference between the temperature of the air in immediate contact with the product (product temperature) and the air's dew point. Fig. 4 is a representation of sorption isotherms by plotting the temperature/dew point difference of the ambient air (Y-axis) against the water content of the product (X-axis), with indication of the critical water contents (Xk).
In the case of container dry green coffee beans with a water content of 10% and a temperature of 20°C, the equilibrium moisture content is 69% according to the sorption isotherm; according to the Mollier h/x diagram, the dew point is 14°C and the temperature/dew point difference is thus 6°C. If the green coffee beans have a critical water content of 12%, an equilibrium moisture content of 86% is established at 20°C and the dew point is 17.2°C, giving a temperature/dew point difference of 2.8°C. It is clear from the above that, from the outset, this coffee is exposed to the risk of mold growth, mustiness and fermentation and sweating will occur much earlier than in the case of container dry coffee. The following conclusions may be drawn:
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