Hot-air assisted continuous radio frequency heating for improving drying efficiency and retaining quality of inshell hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L. cv. Barcelona)

Hot-air assisted continuous radio frequency (HARF) heating was utilized to dry inshell hazelnuts to achieve rapid heating and better retention of nut quality. Effect of electrode gap (14, 15, and 16 cm) and hot-air (HA) temperature (30, 40, and 50 °C) on HARF drying efficiency and heating uniformity was investigated. Electrode gap of 14 cm and HA temperature of 40 °C were identified as optimal HARF conditions to provide acceptable heating rate...