Development and Performance Evaluation of a Batch-Type Waste Fired Dryer for Cocoa
Afnan Mohammed
Department of Processing and Food Engineering, KCAET, Tavanur, India.
Albin Binny
Department of Processing and Food Engineering, KCAET, Tavanur, India.
Aysha Meharin
Department of Processing and Food Engineering, KCAET, Tavanur, India.
Mariya Lal
Department of Processing and Food Engineering, KCAET, Tavanur, India.
Rajesh G. K.
Department of Processing and Food Engineering, KCAET, Tavanur, India.
Shahama K.
Department of Processing and Food Engineering, KCAET, Tavanur, India.
Anjaly M. G. *
Department of Processing and Food Engineering, KCAET, Tavanur, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The project work depicts the development and performance evaluation of a batch-type waste-fired dryer for cocoa. Drying is an important step in the postharvest processing of cocoa beans. A batch-type waste-fired dryer was developed and its evaluation was conducted at three different temperaturesviz., 50℃, 60℃ and 70℃. The capacity of the dryer was found to be 12 kg. The optimization of drying temperature was done based on the physico-chemical quality of the dried cocoa beans i.e. free fatty content. Based on the results, it was understood that the cocoa beans dried at 50°C were found to be superior among the other treatments. The combustion efficiency and energy requirement of the dryer were found to be 24.61% and 83.68 MJ respectively.
Keywords: Cocoa, dryer, biomass