ABSTRACT
Empirical models are developed using experimental data to fit parameters for a particular system. Methods, materials, and the processing environment restrict these models, and the fitting parameters usually have no physical significance. Even with these limitations, the empirical models still provide a good prediction. Despite offering this convenience of implementation in the drying process, empirical modelling possesses some critical shortcomings, which is discussed in this chapter. Linear models can contain square, log, and inverse terms in it to fit a curve. For most of the natural phenomena, the linear regression model cannot be used as it does not fit with the experimental data. In this case, nonlinear regression is an alternative option. There are very few empirical drying kinetics models that incorporate other parameters other than time to predict moisture content. The semi-empirical models depend on the experimental results for some particular parameters.
