Drying rate and efficiency energy analysis of paddy drying using dehumidification with zeolite

Abstract

Abstract Paddy must be dried to prolong the storage life and maintain the quality. There was some researches about paddy drying system: bin dryer. The dehumidification process giving advantages in high efficiency energy, but it is taking the heat for regeneration. Based on the literature study, it is hard to find the literature about drying efficiency analysis during the drying of paddy. This research aims to observe the effect of drying temperatures and addition of zeolite in drying system. Paddy grains were dried from initial moisture content 22% (wet basis) under different temperature 40, 50, and 60°C for 90 minutes drying. Zeolite was used as adsorbent to decrease the relative humidity of air dryer. Results showed that use of zeolite lowering the air humidity and increasing driving force for drying. These made the drying rate increased. The higher drying temperature can also increase drying rate. Energy efficiency decrease during the drying process. Also, addition of zeolite in drying process affected the drying efficiency.