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Abstract
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Article Information:
Development and Performance Evaluation of an Okra Drying Machine
O.K. Owolarafe, S.O. Obayopo, O. A. Amarachi, O. Babatunde and O.A. Ologunro
Corresponding Author: Obayopo, Surajudeen Olanrewaju
Submitted: 2011 June, 28
Accepted: 2011 August, 27
Published: 2011 September, 20 |
Abstract:
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An okra dryer was designed, constructed and evaluated in this study for post-harvest processing of
the fruit. The dryer consists of a heating chamber, two drying trays, a blower of 1hp, two heating elements of
2000 W each, 4 roller tyres for ease of mobility, a control box which consist of a thermostat that regulates the
temperature in the dryer. The result of evaluation of the dryer in no load indicated that it was able to yield
temperature very close to the preset (by the thermostat) after about 3 min. The dryer was evaluated by
drying okra of different thickness (5 and 10 mm), in two trays at two heights (25 and 50 cm from the
bottom) and at a preset temperatures of 50º and 70ºC. Moisture losses from the slices were obtained at
intervals of 30, 45, 60 and 90 min. The result showed that increase in temperature from 50º
to 70ºC, increases moisture loss from the slices. Slices of 5 mm thickness were observed to dry faster than 10
mm slices with those on the upper tray losing more moisture. The study further showed that slice thickness of
5 mm dried at 70ºC in the upper tray level of 60 cm from the base of the dryer are suitable for drying okra slices
in the dryer.
Key words: Development, drying, evaluation, okra dryer, post-harvest, slices,
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Cite this Reference:
O.K. Owolarafe, S.O. Obayopo, O. A. Amarachi, O. Babatunde and O.A. Ologunro, . Development and Performance Evaluation of an Okra Drying Machine. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology, (09): 914-922.
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ISSN (Online): 2040-7467
ISSN (Print): 2040-7459 |
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