Development and Performance Evaluation of a Multipurpose Dryer

In this work an electrically operated thermostatic multipurpose dryer is developed and evaluated. It measures 2,300mm long, 600mm wide and 1,100mm high and consists of 50mm x 50mm mild steel angle iron and aluminium sheet wrapped all over it. The interior of the dryer is painted black to ensure maximum heat retention within the system for faster drying. The multipurpose dryer is constructed with the incorporation of vents to enable uniform air circulation within the system. This is to facilitate uniform drying of specimens. The development of the dryer is to help minimize losses of agricultural produce by drying them to the required moisture content that will enable them to be kept in storage. The dryer was used to determine the moisture content of coconut meat and it was found to be 53.47% and 1.15% wet and dry basis respectively. The dryer could be used to dry all agricultural produce to the required moisture content that will enable them to be preserved. This is achieved by selecting the appropriate temperature graduated on the dryer. The equipment has hot air at a velocity of 18.7m/s distributed uniformly across specimen trays in the drying chamber. As the hot air passes over agricultural produce in trays, the drying process takes place. It has been found that the multipurpose dryer is suitable for drying agricultural produce and other allied produce to the required moisture content up to a maximum temperature of 1100 C. The dryer efficiency was determined to be 75%.