This study presents a model-driven approach to enhance the efficiency of sago drying utilizing a two-dimensional fluidized bed dryer (FBD). ANSYS^® DesignModeler^TM 2020 R2 software was employed to simulate the drying profile, considering variations in sago bagasse particle diameter (ranging from 500 to 2000 µm), hot air temperature (ranging from 50 to 90 °C), and inlet air velocity (ranging from 1.5 to 2.1 m/s). The simulation results provided valuable insights into the interplay between these critical drying parameters. The model enabled the prediction of moisture content profiles during the sago drying process under different conditions, thereby facilitating comprehension of the system’s behavior. Using Design Expert^® 7.00 (DX7), considering energy efficiency and product quality, an optimal set of conditions for sago drying was determined at 2000 µm, 90 °C and 2.1 m/s. This approach not only streamlined the drying process but also significantly reduced energy consumption while ensuring consistent and high-quality sago. The findings of this research offer a practical and sustainable solution for sago producers, which, when applied, can contribute to improved product quality, reduced production costs, and enhanced food security in the region. Furthermore, the model-driven approach and the integration of specialized software tools demonstrate the potential for broader applications in optimizing various drying processes in the food industry.

• Antony, J., & Shyamkumar, M. B. (2016). Study on sand particles drying in a fluidized bed dryer using CFD. International Journal of Engineering Studies, 8(2), 129-145.

• Arumuganathan, T., Manikantan, M. R., Ramanathan, M., Rai, R. D., Indurani, C., & Karthiayani, A. (2017). Effect of diffusion channel storage on some physical properties of button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) and shelf-life extension. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences, 87(3), 705-718. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-015-0628-4

• Assawarachan, R. (2013). Drying kinetics of coconut residue in fluidized bed. International Journal of Agriculture Innovations and Research, 2(2), 263–266.

• Azmir, J., Hou, Q., & Yu, A. (2018). Discrete particle simulation of food grain drying in a fluidised bed. Powder Technology, 323, 238-249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2017.10.019

• Dechsiri, C. (2004). Particle Transport in Fluidized Beds: Experiments and Stochastic Models. [Unpublished Doctoral thesis]. University of Groningen.

• Gazor, H. R., & Mohsenimanesh, A. (2010). Modelling the drying kinetics of canola in fluidised bed dryer. Czech Journal of Food Sciences, 28(6), 531-537. https://doi.org/10.17221/256/2009-CJFS

• Halim, L. A., Basrawi, M. F., Faizal, S. N., Yudin, A. S. M., & Yusof, T. M. (2020). Effect of superficial air velocity on the fluidized bed drying performance of stingless bee pot-pollen. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 863(1), Article 012041. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/863/1/012041

• Han, M. (2015). Characterization of Fine Particle Fluidization. [Doctoral dissertation]. The University of Western Ontario. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/3073

• Hasibuan, R., Pane, Y. M., & Hanief, S. (2018, August 30-31). Effect of air velocity and thickness to drying rate and qualitytemulawak (Curcum xanthorrhiza roxb) using combination solar moleculer sieve. [Paper presentation]. The International Conference of Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental and Ramification Researches-ICOSTEERR, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia. https://doi.org/10.5220/0010103503890394

• Li-Zhen, D., Arun, S.M., Qian, Z., Xu-Hai, Y., Jun, W., Zhi-An, Z., Zhen-Jiang, G., & Hong- Wei, X. (2019). Chemical and physical pretreatments of fruits and vegetables: Effects on drying characteristics and quality attributes – A comprehensive review. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 59(9), 1408-1432. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2017.1409192

• Luthra, K., & Sadaka, S. S. (2020). Challenges and opportunities associated with drying rough rice in fluidized bed dryers: A review. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, 63(3), 583-595. https://doi.org/10.13031/trans.13760

• Maheswari, S. U. (2015). Drying of pearl millet using fluidised bed dryer: Experiments and modelling. International Journal of ChemTech Research, 8(1), 377-387.

• Majdi, H., Esfahani, J. A., & Mohebbi, M. (2019). Optimization of convective drying by response surface methodology. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 156, 574-584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2018.12.021

• Malekjani, N., & Jafari, S. M. (2018). Simulation of food drying processes by computational fluid dynamics (CFD): Recent advances and approaches. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 78, 206-223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2018.06.006

• Mortier, S. T. F., De Beer, T., Gernaey, K. V., Remon, J. P., Vervaet, C., & Nopens, I. (2011). Mechanistic modelling of fluidized bed drying processes of wet porous granules: A review. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 79(2), 205-225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpb.2011.05.013

• Naim, H. M., Yaakub, A. N., & Hamdan, D. A. A. (2016). Commercialization of sago through estate plantation scheme in Sarawak: The way forward. International Journal of Agronomy, 2016, Article 8319542. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/8319542

• Nasir, A. M. A., Rosli, M. I., Takriff, M. S., Othman, N. T. A., & Ravichandar, V. (2021). Computational fluid dynamics simulation of fluidized bed dryer for sago pith waste drying process. Jurnal Kejuruteraan, 33(2), 239-248. https://doi.org/10.17576/jkukm- 2021-33(2)-09

• Norhaida, H. A. T., Ang, W. L., Kismurtono, M., & Siti, M. T. (2020). Effect of air temperature and velocity on the drying characteristics and product quality of Clinacanthus nutans in heat pump dryer. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 462(1), Article 012052. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/462/1/012052

• Okoronkwo, C. A., Nwufo, O. C., Nwaigwe, K. N., Ogueke, N. V., & Anyanwu, E. E. (2013). Experimental evaluation of a fluidized bed dryer performance. The International Journal of Engineering and Science, 2(6), 45-53.

• Othman, N. T. A., & Ivan, A. H. (2021). Development of a fluidized bed dryer for drying of a sago bagasse. Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 29(3), 1831-1845 https://doi.org/10.47836/pjst.29.3.13

• Pusat, S., Akkoyunlu, M. T., Erdem, H. H., & Teke, I. (2015). Effects of bed height and particle size on drying of a Turkish lignite. International Journal of Coal Preparation and Utilization, 35(4), Article 150203135736008. https://doi.org/10.1080/19392699.2015.1009051

• Puspasari, I., Meor, Z., Wan Daud, D., & Tasirin, S. (2014). Characteristic drying curve of oil palm fibers. International Journal on Advanced Science, Engineering and Information Technology, 4(1), 20-24. https://doi.org/10.18517/ijaseit.4.1.361

• Rashid, M. R. M., Johari, M. A. M., & Ahmad, Z. A. (2016). Sago pith waste ash as a new alternative raw materials from agricultural waste. Materials Science Forum, 840, 389-393. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.840.389

• Rosli, M. I., Abdul Nasir, A. M., Takriff, M. S., & Lee, P. C. (2018). Simulation of a fluidized bed dryer for the drying of sago waste. Energies, 11(9), Article 2383. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/en11092383

• Rosli, M. I., Nasir, A. A., Takriff, M. S., & Ravichandar, V. (2020). Drying sago pith waste in a fluidized bed dryer. Food and Bioproducts Processing, 123, 335-344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbp.2020.07.005

• Sarker, M. S. H., Ibrahim, M. N., Aziz, N. A., & Punan, M. S. (2015). Energy and exergy analysis of industrial fluidized bed drying of paddy. Energy, 84, 131-138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2015.02.064

• Shukrie, A., Anuar, S., & Oumer, A. N. (2016). Air distributor designs for fluidized bed combustors: A review. Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, 6(3), 1029-1034. https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.688

• Silva, B. G., Fileti, A. M. F., Foglio, M. A., Rosa, P. D. T. V., & Taranto, O. P. (2017). Effects of different drying conditions on key quality parameters of pink peppercorns (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi). Journal of Food Quality, 2017, Article 3152797. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/3152797

• Tamboli, T. G., & Bhong, M. G. (2018). Review on different drying methods: Applications & advancements. International Journal on Theoretical and Applied Research in Mechanical Engineering, 7(1), 33-40.

• Wang, A. H., & Chen, G. (2000). Heat and mass transfer in batch fluidized-bed drying of porous particles. Chemical Engineering Science, 55(10), 1857-1869. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2509(99)00446-7

• Wee, O. Y., Ling, L. P., Bujang, K., & Fong, L. S. (2017). Physiochemical characteristic of sago (Metroxylon sagu) starch production wastewater effluents. International Journal of Research in Advent Technology, 5(9), 4-13.

• Zhang, W., Cheng, X., Hu, Y., & Yan, Y. (2017). Measurement of moisture content in a fluidized bed dryer using an electrostatic sensor array. Powder Technology, 325, 49-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2017.11.006