Abstract
A study on the effect of the physical properties and moisture sorption isotherm of palm kernels constitutes the critical criteria in evaluating the drying performance. The drying was evaluated as a function of moisture content (MC) in the range of 0.31–0.02 kg/kg (d.b.). Whereas, the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of palm kernels (whole kernel and ground kernel) was determined experimentally using the standard gravimetric method at different temperatures (50 °C to 80 °C), over a range of relative humidity (RH) from 10% to 81%. Palm kernel length, width, and thickness decrease from 16.08 ± 2.09 mm to 14.17 ± 2.30 mm, 12.06 ± 1.40 mm to 11.24 ± 1.08 mm, and 10.01 ± 1.27 mm to 9.18 ± 1.04 mm, respectively, when MC decreased. Bulk density, surface area, and specific surface area decreased as the MC decreased, while porosity and true density were increased. EMC of palm kernels (whole kernel and ground kernel) decreased with an increase in temperature at constant RH. Modified Oswin and modified Halsey models were found to be the best for predicting desorption moisture isotherms for whole and ground palm kernel, respectively. Therefore, the study of the effect of drying on physical aspects as well as moisture sorption isotherms is important to further analyze the drying performance of Tenera palm kernel (e.g., equipment design and energy requirement).
Highlights
Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis jacquin) is originated from Africa, and is monoecious, which has a capacity to achieve 30 m height
Several physical properties of the Tenera palm kernel were determined in order to facilitate design of the specific equipment for harvesting, transporting, cleaning, packing, drying, storing, design of the specific equipment for harvesting, transporting, cleaning, packing, drying, storing, etc., etc., processes
The study shows that the physical properties of the Tenera palm kernel, such as geometric geometric mean diameter, bulk density, true density, surface area, specific surface area, total porosity, mean diameter, bulk density, true density, surface area, specific surface area, total porosity, and and morphology structures, changed after the drying process
Summary
Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis jacquin) is originated from Africa, and is monoecious (bears both male and female flowers), which has a capacity to achieve 30 m height. Oil palm tree will begin bearing fruits after about 2.5 years of planting in the field and the profit will be for as long as 20 years or more, thereby ensuring a consistent supply of its major product oil. The palm fruit is formed in vast clusters of 16–26 kg each, called fresh fruit bunches (FFBs). Fruits constituted of a pericarp, the pulp, fibers and walnut. The walnut has a hard shell, which encompasses a kernel; the palm kernel oil is extracted from the kernel [1]. Oil palm has become the most important commodity crop in Malaysia. Palm oil is used for various food and non-food applications
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