Experimental study and numerical modelling of drying characteristics of apple slices

► A laboratory device permitted us to achieve several tests for different conditions of the apple slices drying. ► The air drying conditions as radiation intensity are the influential parameters. ► This study shows the considerable advantages of the intermittent drying of agricultural products. ► Convective and intermittent drying presents an energetic gain. A significant gain of time and energy is gotten by an increase of the airflow temperature and a reduction of the air velocity.