Computational fluid dynamics was applied in the prediction of the effect of inlet temperature on the drying time of fish in a cabinet rotary dryer. On completion of the simulation, the temperature distribution of the air (fluid domain) within the drier at different inlet air temperatures and time intervals was obtained. Inlet air temperatures ranging from 35oC to 55oC was simulated for a time interval of 10 minutes to 120 minutes so as to examine the influence of inlet temperature on the drying process of fish. Based on this temperature range, it was observed that the ideal drying time for the fish which satisfies the condition for efficient fish drying for all five inlet air temperatures of the fish is 70 minutes. Furthermore, it can be observed that it takes about 120 minutes for the inlet air temperature of 50 degrees Celsius to attain a cabinet drying temperature of 316K (43°C) while it takes only 70 minutes for the inlet air temperature of 55 degrees Celsius to attain the same temperature under the same condition.

Two forced convective fish rotary dryers of different geometries (cube and cylindrical) with modelled fish were simulated using ANSYS commercial software to determine the geometry that gives an optimal inlet temperature distribution profile, which ultimately leads to faster drying of fish. The geometries were constructed using CATIA V5 modelling software such that they both have the same volume, so they can be compared appropriately. The simulation was carried out for different inlet temperatures and at different time intervals. From the simulations carried out, it was discovered that the cylindrical rotary dryer possesses the maximum mean dryer temperatures in most of the time intervals considered. The temperature distribution obtained thus reveals that the cylindrical d duration of thermal action on the products. Therefore, the cylindrical rotary dryer gives an increased drying rate and an improved quality of product.