Constant rate of paddy rice drying using air dehumidification with zeolite

Abstract

Drying using air dehumidification with zeolite has the purpose to produce paddy rice with lower moisture content and to enhance the storage life. In this study, the paddy rice was dried from initial moisture content 21% wet basis to 14% wet basis (final moisture content) using fluidized bed dryer and dehumidification with zeolite. This dryer lifted the paddy from the bottom (fluidized state) so the final moisture content was uniform. The paddy was dried in various drying temperatures (40-60°C). The moisture content was observed every 15 minutes for 120 minutes. As the control, paddy was dried without using air dehumidification. Several thin layer model was used to determine the constant rate of the drying and then the drying time can well be predicted. Result showed that Two term model was suitable to determine the constant rate of the drying. The constant rate of the drying was 19% higher in drying using air dehumidification.