ABSTRACT
Drying is out of the major problem in post harvest operation. The traditional method of Drying (Sun drying) is weather dependent and unhygienic which affect food storage most especially in developing countries like India where more than 3300 to 3700 hours of bright sunshine per year available in North- West and West coastal region. The dryer consist of the following operating component parts: a cabinet, blower, trays, temperature controller, copper wire and light emitting Diode (LED) screen and switch. The factors considered in the study were turmeric of 2000g weight, temperature (500C, 600C and 800C) and each were replicated 3 times. The testing was carried out in term of drying rate, amount of moisture loss and applied temperature. Temperature of 600C and 700C favours the drying of the three weight that temperature of 400C. the time taken for each figure sample at different weight and temperature differs. Hence, the higher the temperature the lesser the time taken for the turmeric to dry, the higher the weight the higher the time taken for turmeric to dry, the statistical analysis (ANOVA) shows that there is high significance difference at 5% in the mean value of the drying rate as affected by temperature 400C and there high significance difference at 1% and 5% in the mean value of the drying rate. The efficiency of the battery operated biomass dryer on the modification to the biomass dryer was evaluated to be N 223,250.00.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover Page i
Title Page ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgements v
Abstract vi
Table of Contents vii
List of Tables xi
List of Figures xii
List of Plates xiii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study 1
1.2 Problem Statement2
1.3 Aim and Objectives 2
1.4 Justification 3
1.5 Scope of the Project3
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Drying as an Element of Post Harvest4
2.1.1 Types of Losses 5
2.1.1.1 Moisture Content6
2.1.1.2 Damage 6
2.1.1.3 Direct and Indirect Losses 6
2.1.1.4 Weight Loss 6
2.1.1.5 Quality Loss 6
2.1.1.6 Food Loss 7
2.1.1.7 Seed Viability Loss 7
2.1.1.8 Commercial Loss 7
2.2 Methods of Drying 8
2.2.1 Traditional method of drying 8
2.2.2 Modern Methods of Drying 8
2.3 Mechanisms of Drying 9
2.4 Basic Theory of Drying 10
2.4.1 Thin Layer Drying 11
2.4.2 Deep Bed Drying 14
2.5 Factors affecting rate of drying 15
2.5.1 Crop Parameters 15
2.5.2 Air Parameters 16
2.5.3 Dryer Parameters 17
2.6 Review of Dryers 17
2.7 Drying Process 18
2.8 Agronomy of Turmeric 19
2.8.1 Benefit of Turmeric 19
2.9 Sources of Energy for Drying 20
2.9.1 Briquette as a Source of Energy 20
2.9.2 Solar as a Source of Energy 21
2.9.3 The Fossil Fuels 21
2.9.4 Electricity 21
2.9.5 Nuclear Power21
2.9.6 Hydro Power22
2.9.7 Geothermal Energy 22
2.9.8 Wind Power22
CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHOD
3.1 Modified Areas on the Biomass Dryer23
3.2 Materials 23
3.2.1 Charcoal23
3.2.2 Digital Weighing Scale 24
3.2.3 Temperature Monitor and Controller24
3.2.4 Biomass Dryer25
3.2.5 Digital Venier Caliper25
3.2 Description of the Machine 26
3.3 Component Parts of the Biomass Dryer26
3.3.1 Chimney 27
3.3.2 Drying Tray 27
3.3.3 Drying Chamber27
3.3.4 Solar Panel27
3.3.5 Battery 28
3.3.6 Ash Port28
3.3.7 Temperature Controller28
3.3.8 Centrifugal Fan (Blower)28
3.3.9 LED Screen 28
3.3.10 Charge Controller28
3.3.11 Copper Pipe 29
3.4 Design Consideration for the Biomass Dryer29
3.4.1 Air Temperature 29
3.4.2 Air Relative Humidity 29
3.4.3 Air Flow Rate 30
3.5 Material Selection 30
3.6 Operation of the Biomass Dryer31
3.7 Design Analysis/Design Calculation 31
3.7.1 Design for the Volume/Capacity of Drying Tray 31
3.7.2 Design of Area of the Temperature Controller31
3.7.3 Design of Area of Copper Pipe 32
3.7.4 Design of Area for the Burning Chamber32
3.7.5 The Amount of Moisture to be Removed from Agricultural Produce 32
3.7.6 Design for Solar Panel Capacity 33
3.7.7 Drying Rate 33
3.7.8 Design Calculation and Analysis 33
3.8 Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME)35
3.10.1 Sourcing of Raw Material37
3.10.2 Sample Preparation 37
3.10.3 Experimental Design and Layout37
3.10.4 Experimental Procedure 38
3.10.5 Output Parameter38
3.10.5.1 Measurement for Drying Rate 38
3.10.5.2 Determination of Water Loss 38
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
4.1 Results 40
4.2 Discussion 44
4.2.1 Effect of Drying Rate on Turmeric at 500C 44
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 48
5.1 Conclusions 48
5.2 Recommendations 48
Reference 50
Appendix A 54
Appendix B 56
Appendix C 58
AppendiX D 60
