Thermal Conductivity of Baled Burley Tobacco
ABSTRACT The effective thermal conductivity of baled burley tobacco was determined with a thermal conductivity probe as a function of the major parameters expected to influence the conductivity. The mean value of effective thermal conductivity of baled burley tobacco was higher parallel to the leaf (0.0762 W/m°C) than it was perpendicular to the leaf (0.0453 W/m°C) because the heat was conducted through continuous solid leaf material in the parallel direction while it had to pass through successive air spaces in the perpendicular direction. The effective thermal conductivity increased linearly with increasing moisture content and increasing bulk density. The effective thermal conductivity was highest at the center of the bale and progressively lower toward the edge of the bale..