Analysis of heat energy in the drying process of Moringa Oleifera leaves using a greenhouse effect dryer (ERK)

Abstract

Abstract Moringa leaves have a high enough nutrient content so that they are used as a source of natural nutrients. Fresh moringa leaves have a high water content, so they need to be dried to reduce post-harvest loss. This study aims to analyze heat energy in the drying process of moringa leaves using a greenhouse effect type dryer (ERK). The study was an experimental method on drying of moringa leaves using a Greenhouse Effect (ERK) in the field and was analyzed using mass and energy equilibrium approaches. In this study, two different treatments were carried out i.e not crushed and crushed leaves. The result shows that the water content of the uncrushed and crushed leaves were 74.9%wb and 71.4%wb, dried moringa leaf water content was 4.8 %wb and 4.5%wb. Total energy entered by dryers 7415038.8 kJ and 7780575.4 kJ, Total useful energy of 767089.470 kJ and 2171369.143 kJ, total energy discharged through outlet/ventilation and lost through successive walls were is 4148.222 kJ, 5718.912 kJ, 8.924 kJ and 7.194 kJ as well as heat lost from opening consecutive doors of 771246.62 kJ and 2177095.25 kJ. The input masses were 0.75 kg and 1.35 kg, the output mass were 0.180 kg and 0.391 kg, the accumulated mass were 0.570 kg and 0.959 kg. Drying efficiency values were 18.25% and 29.26%.