Abstract

TEIXEIRA-DA SILVA, Juan-Manuel  and  MALPICA-PEREZ, Freddy-Alberto. Development of a mathematical model to determine the proportions a direct solar dehydrator of cacao. Ingeniería Mecánica [online]. 2016, vol.19, n.1, pp.30-39. ISSN 1815-5944.

A transient analytical model was developed which aims to determine the dimensions of a solar dehydrator of cacao that uses heated air as drying media. The air is heated in a flat solar collector and thermal storage unit. Then, the heated air crosses the drying section where the cacao is protected against open atmosphere and allows transmission of solar irradiation. The model was applied to the yard traditional solar drying of cacao.Local average values of environmental conditions were input data to the model. The results indicate that the air can reach a temperature as 65°C with a relative humidity as 10%. The drying curve obtained presents agreement with the experimental drying curve. The analytical results allow obtaining the dimensions of the proposed dehydrator: lengths, equipment’s width and chimney’s height. The simulation indicates the drying of the cacao can continue during two and a half hours after sunset.

Keywords : drying of cacao; mathematical model; solar dehydrator; heating lot; storage thermal.

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