Characteristic Drying Curves of Cocoa Beans |
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| Authors: | Wan Ramli Wan Daud Mcor Zainal Mcor Talib Mahamad Hakimi lbrahim |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Jabatan Kejuruteraan Kimia &2. Proses Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia , UKM Bangi, Selangor Daru1 Ehsan, 43600, Malaysia;3. Pusat Pengajian Teknologi Industri Universiti Sains Malaysia , Minden, Pulau Pinang, 11800, Malaysia |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACT The characteristic drying curves of cocoa beans are determined by using a tunnel drier where conditioned air passes a single cocoa berm suspended from an electronic balance in the test section. Weight loss, and temperatures of air, testa and nib of the cocoa bean is monitored on personal computers. The nornmalised drying rate versus the normalised moisture content is regressed by least square method to fit a new polynomial model for the penetration falling rate period and a linear model for the regular regime falling rate period. It can be concluded that there are three drying periods for cocoa beans namely the constant drying rate period, the penetration falling rate period and the regular regime falling rate period. The polynomial model estimates the penetration period quite well whereas the linear model estimates the regular regime quite well as well. There is no observable influence of relative humidity and air temperature on the characteristic drying curve of cocoa beans. However, the air velocity seems to have some influence on the curve. |
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| Keywords: | Drying Kinetics Cocoa Beans Characteristic Drying Curves |
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