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Introduction. Dehydration of heat-sensitive and easily oxidized food products require particular temperatures. Exposure to ultrasonic vibrations is an alternative dehydration method that presupposes moderate thermal treatment. The research objective was to identify the optimal range of sound pressure and to design a small-volume dryer. Study objects and methods. The study featured two novel ultrasonic potato dryers at t = 60 ± 1°C and a drying agent flow rate of 0.50 ± 0.03 m/s. Results and discussion. The analysis of the drying curves revealed a period of constant flow rate at a low ultrasonic exposure and its absence at a high level of exposure of ≥ 160 dB, which indicated the start of the ultrasonic dispersion process of liquid from the potato surface. The dispersion occurred due to cavitation spraying of liquid without phase transition, which significantly reduced energy consumption. As the sound pressure increased in the range from 150 to 165 dB, the drying speed increased up to 26% by 5 dB. The optimal range of the sound pressure was 160–165 dB, which optimally combined energy consumption and drying time. The research resulted in two 6 kg horizontal and vertical drum dryers that provided even ultrasonic exposure during drying. Conclusion. The convective ultrasonic potato drum dryers reduced the drying time by 44–47%.

Cheeses are analyzed as vacuum drying objects. An experimental vacuum drier and its elements are schematized. The operating principle of the experimental setup is described. Moisture is demonstrated to be among the most important components of cheese. The physicochemical composition of cheeses is considered. The forms and energy of moisture binding in cheese are discussed. The hygroscopic and thermophysical properties of cheeses are reported. The kinetics of the vacuum drying of cheeses has been investigated. The vacuum drying of cheeses includes two stages: the drying rate is constant at the first stage and decreases at the second stage. The temperature curves of cheeses have been plotted in the temperature–moisture weight fraction coordinates. Drying curves in the heat load–time, temperature–time, and moisture weight fraction–time coordinates have been obtained and analyzed for various cheeses. Cheese drying rate curves have been constructed by graphical differentiation. The maximum cheese drying rates have been determined. Equilibrium moisture content values for cheese drying have been found. The cheese shrinkage ratio has been correlated with the thickness of the cheese bed being dried and with the shape and size of cheese pieces. Cheese shrinkage at both stages of vacuum drying proceeds uniformly. Raising the drying temperature above the prescribed temperature reduces the shrinkage ratio.