Development of the supporting software for tea manufacturing conditions

Previously, the establishment of tea manufacturing conditions was achieved by worker experience only, because measuring techniques in tea scattering drying and primary drying are not precise. Therefore, we studied manufacturing experiment data enforced in the past with an experimental machine (15K-size), developed drying model equations, and furthermore developed the supporting software for tea manufacturing conditions. (1) We examined the correlation between the variable and the drying rate of the theoretical drying equation \{dm/dt=-KA(Xs-Xa)\} for the constant rate drying period. The drying model equations with high correlation were \{dm/dt=0.74K+196(Xs-Xa)-1.77\} which was the multiple regression model in scattering drying, and \{dm/dt=80.4exp(0.18K)(Xs-Xa)\} which was the mathematical model in primary drying. The supporting software version 1.0 for the tea manufacturing conditions was developed using the above two equations. (2) Result of verification of the supporting software version 1.0, drying rate and tea leaf temperature increased because the volume of second and third crops was larger. Therefore, we developed new drying model equations for second and third crops. The adaptability was improved by these equations. (3) Wind volume was below zero when the drying rate was low, because the above drying model equation in primary drying was of the index type. Therefore, we improved it to become the liner type. The drying model equation for first crops was \{dm/dt=43.154K(Xs-Xa)\}. And the drying model equation for second and third crops was \{dm/dt=(5l.799K-34.813)(Xs-Xa)\}. (4) Drying rates were higher with the practical scattering dryer and primary rolling dryer (60K-size). Thus, we revised the drying model equations. The supporting software version 3.0 for tea manufacturing conditions was developed. *dm/dt: drying rate (%/min), K: coefficient of moving matter (m3/min'kg drymatter), A: surface area (m2/kg dry matter), Xs: absolute humidity of tea leaf temperature (kg/kg'), Xa: absolute humidity of drying air.