Optimization of the microwave drying process for potato chips based on the measurement of dielectric properties.

A microwave drying system with functions of automatic power and temperature control was developed to dry potato chips. The mass and moisture content of the sample are available online. The dielectric properties of the samples were measured during microwave drying, during which the microwave absorption capacity of the samples was analyzed. Afterward, a reasonable power and temperature control scheme was formulated. The enhanced microwave drying technology of potato chips is found by comparing product quality under different schemes. Results show that the change in the dielectric properties of materials during microwave drying is closely related to moisture and temperature variations. A three-stage different temperature control with predefined variable power profiles resulted in the best product quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]