Thin-layer drying of high-moisture faba beans with initial moisture content of 4.39 (d.b.) in fixed and semi-fluidized bed was studied. Air temperatures of 40, 50, 60 and 70C at fixed and semi-fluidized bed conditions were applied. Statistical indices showed that the Aghbashlo et al. model was the best for prediction of faba bean-drying kinetics. Moisture diffusivity values for the first and second falling rate drying were between 3.04 ¥ 10-9–9.62 ¥ 10-9 m2/s and 6.32 ¥ 10-9– 2.64 ¥ 10-8 m2/s, respectively.Maximum values of moisture diffusivity belonged to semi-fluidized bed condition. Activation energy values were calculated between 21.68 and 27.42 kJ/mol for temperature boundary of 40–70C, and drying conditions of fixed to semi-fluidized bed, respectively. Specific energy consumption values were computed in the range of 13.36 ¥ 106–64.30 ¥ 106 kJ/kg from 40 to 70C with drying condition of fixed and semi-fluidized bed, respectively.
