Abstract
The jatropha has emerged on the world scene as a promising plant for the production of biodiesel. However, this crop still lacks the development of specific equipment for its processing, particularly post-harvest. Therefore, the aim of this work was to fit different mathematical models to experimental data obtained while drying jatropha fruits, and to recommend the one that best represents the facts. Jatropha fruit with a moisture content of 4.4 (kg moisture kg-1 dry matter) were subjected to drying in a greenhouse with forced air-ventilation at five temperature conditions: 45; 60; 75; 90 and 10 ºC and relative humidities of 14.5; 7.4; 3.8; 2.2 and 1.4%, respectively, until reaching a moisture content of 0.10 ± 0.005 (kg moisture kg-1 dry matter),with three replications. Ten mathematical models, used to represent the drying of agricultural products, were adjusted to fit the experimental drying data. The models were analyzed using the coefficient of determination, chi-square, mean relative error, mean estimated error and residual distribution. It can be concluded that the Page model satisfactorily describes the kinetics of jatropha-fruit drying, at temperatures of 60; 75; 90 and 105 ºC. However, drying at a temperature of 45 ºC produced different behavior, making necessary the adjustment of a new model to describe the phenomenon.
Highlights
According to Abreu et al (2009), among the oilseed crops that have been presented as another means of diversification, and one that can be planted in order to increase the production of biodiesel, the jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) stands out
There are other attributes related to jatropha oil, as it is not edible and cannot be diverted for human consumption (SATURNINO et al, 2005), unlike soybean oil, which is considered as the reference for biodiesel production on an industrial scale, and is derived from raw material which is abundant in Brazil, with the technology for its production being readily available (SANTOS et al 2009)
Three aluminum trays each containing 250 g of jatropha fruit distributed in a single layer to an approximate height of 2.7 cm were left inside the hothouse until they reached the desired moisture content
Summary
According to Abreu et al (2009), among the oilseed crops that have been presented as another means of diversification, and one that can be planted in order to increase the production of biodiesel, the jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) stands out. Laviola and Day (2008) claim that depending on the spacing adopted when planting jatropha it is possible to achieve a productivity of over 2,000 kg oil ha-1, and that with genetic improvements and changes to the production system, it is believed that the jatropha is capable of producing up to 4,000 kg oil ha-1. Laviola and Day (2008) claim that depending on the spacing adopted when planting jatropha it is possible to achieve a productivity of over 2,000 kg oil ha-1, and that with genetic improvements and changes to the production system, it is believed that the jatropha is capable of producing up to 4,000 kg oil ha-1. This crop becomes an extremely viable alternative for small, medium and large producers. Among the postharvest steps, drying is one of the most important as it is directly related to the end quality of the product, and as oil is the main product of the jatropha, it is necessary to develop drying techniques, which will give better yield and oil quality
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