Simulation of solar drying of copra
1992
Maiava, M.T.G.
Drying of copra in a short time is a great problem in the islands of the South Pacific. With a view to determine the appropriate type of dryer three experiments were conducted in the simulation of solar drying of copra using a simple passive direct solar cabinet dryer. In the first experiment, the operating characteristics, namely, air flow rate, temperature, humidity, driving pressure and heat losses of the dryer with one square-metre drying area to dry 16 kg of extracted coconut meat were investigated. A good quality of copra was obtained as characterised by its off-white colour and the final moisture content. The second experiment was conducted to determine the relationship between two variables, viz, air flow rate and power input without using the coconut meat in the drying chamber over a range of power input levels of 150 watts to 900 watts. In the third experiment, the same relationship between the two variables using coconut meat was determined. This experiment indicated a decrease of 20 in the overall average volume of air flow rate through the dryer as compared with experiment no. 2. [Author's summary]
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