Experimental investigation and theoretical modelling of absolute convective drying of starch

► Starch (initial moisture 18% wet basis) is a hygroscopic capillary porous material. ► Krischer and Percolation Theories well describe absolute drying of starch. ► During drying, the transition from one water sub-population to another is smooth. ► Diffusion coefficient of water in starch does not obey Arrhenius' Law above 130 °C.