Performance evaluation of selected types of mechanical dryers

Date

1986

Abstract

A performance evaluation was conducted on four dryerys, namely, (1) flatbed dryer with inclined step grate furnace (FBD), (2) reversible-flow batch dryer with inclined step grate furnace (RFBD-1), (3) reversible flow batch dryer with cyclone furnace (RFBD-2), and (4) a continuous-flow dryer with cyclone furnace (LSU). The study aims to, (1) assess the dryer's drying efficiencies based on its operational performance, and (2) make a situational economic evaluation of the dryers in the area in drying corn seeds. The first three dryers were used for both ear and shelled corn, while the last was used mainly for shelled corn due to its design. The study took place in Mindanao, Philippines using actual drying information recorded from January to December, 1984. Results showed that RFBD-1 gave the highest drying rate (0.21 and 0.14%/hr), drying capacity(167 and 243 kg/hr), and thermal efficiency (12.93 and 17.56%) in drying ear and shelled corn, respectively. It also gave the lowest total energy consumed (5053 and 2685 KJ/kg), and cheapest drying cost (P197.01 and P141.55/ton) for both ear and shelled corn, respectively. This was followed by FBD, LSU, with RFBD-2 coming last. Meanwhile, LSU gave the least difference between actual and manufacturer's specifications for drying time (~27%), drying rate (12.09%) and drying capacity (13.14%). The results showing RFBD-1 to be the most efficient can be attributed to the following: (1) its high fan-drive power of 10 Hp effects a higher airflow rate; (2) the overloading of ear corn (8.75 tons/batch); (3) its relatively short drying time (57.67 hrs for ear corn and 23.48 hrs for shelled corn); (4) its low fuel consumption (47.88 kg/hr for ear corn and 34.28 kg/hr for shelled corn);(5) its relatively short and less frequent down times (5.15 hrs for ear corn and 1.34 hrs for shelled corn); (6) its lower initial investment cost of P117, 432; and (7) its very high annual utilization rate of 3733 hours/year.

Document Type

Master Thesis

Language

English

LC Subject

Corn--Drying

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 995 1986 A2 D45

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