Evaluation and adaptive modification of a low cost paddy drying technology
2000
Borlagdan, P.C. | Bakker, R.R. (International Rice Research Inst., MCPO Box 3127, Makati City 1271 (Philippines))
A low cost paddy drying technology originating from Vietnam was evaluated and modified to suit the local grain drying requirement. The original design can dry one ton of wet paddy in 2 to 3 days depending on the moisture content and relative humidity of the drying air. Modification of the blower assembly and bin material significantly reduced the drying time compared to the original design. The modified low cost dryer (LCD) can dry wet paddy with more than 24% moisture content, down to a safe level of 18% moisture content wet basis (MCwb) in ten hours. The LCD was pilot tested with prospective end-users to solicit feedback and gauge its acceptability. The respondents compared the LCD with sun drying and suggested that if the dryer cannot dry paddy as fast as sun drying, it is not acceptable to them. It takes 6 to 8 hours to sundry paddy during sunny days compared with 15 to 30 hours in the LCD. But sundrying is not possible during the wet season when it is needed most. Farmers realized that the LCD would be very useful in saving the wet season harvest from deterioration. LCD-dried paddy when milled has higher amount of headrice, comparable milling recovery and whiteness. Testing and evaluation for lower capacities resulted in shorter drying time and lesser energy consumption. Economic analysis showed that using the LCD during the wet season can be economically profitable, depending on the volume of grain dried
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