Development and Performance Evaluation of a Batch-Type Waste Fired Dryer for Cocoa

Abstract

The project work depicts the development and performance evaluation of a batch-type waste-fired dryer for cocoa. Drying is an important step in the postharvest processing of cocoa beans. A batch-type waste-fired dryer was developed and its evaluation was conducted at three different temperaturesviz., 50℃, 60℃ and 70℃. The capacity of the dryer was found to be 12 kg. The optimization of drying temperature was done based on the physico-chemical quality of the dried cocoa beans i.e. free fatty content. Based on the results, it was understood that the cocoa beans dried at 50°C were found to be superior among the other treatments. The combustion efficiency and energy requirement of the dryer were found to be 24.61% and 83.68 MJ respectively.