Drying kinetics during hot air drying of modal

Purpose In this paper, through hot air drying research on modal fabric, a corresponding model of the effects of hot air temperature and wind speed on the hot air drying process of the fabric was and experimentally validated. The moisture diffusion coefficient and drying activation energy of modal fabric during the hot air drying process were calculated. This study provides a theoretical basis for the prediction of the moisture ratio of modal fabric during hot air drying and may guide the optimization of the drying process and the design of new drying equipment. Design/methodology/approach Hot air drying experiments were conducted on modal fabric under different hot air temperatures and wind speeds to investigate the drying process and establish and validate a corresponding model. Findings This study systematically investigated the hot air drying kinetics of modal knitted fabrics under different temperatures and air velocities. The results indicate that the drying process is dominated by the falling-rate period, with no constant-rate stage observed. Increasing temperature and air velocity significantly reduces drying time and enhances drying efficiency. Among the evaluated models, the Aghbashlo model demonstrated the best predictive performance. The effective moisture diffusion coefficient ranged from 5.48 × 10–12 to 2.71 × 10–11 m2/s, while the activation energy was determined to be 23.026 kJ/mol. These findings provide valuable theoretical support for understanding the drying behavior of modal fabrics and offer practical guidance for optimizing drying processes and designing advanced drying equipment. Originality/value The Aghbashlo model is the most suitable for the drying kinetics of modal fabrics. The effective moisture diffusion coefficient of the fabric was in the range of 5.48 × 10–12–2.71 × 10–11m2/s, and the activation energy of drying was 23.026 kJ/mol. This study aims to help understand the drying kinetics of modal fabrics.