Work

Aeration system optimization for a deep bed dryer for paddy grain using computational fluid analysis and the AHP-TOPSIS method

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: In the context of food security, drying is a crucial postharvest process for paddy grain because it significantly impacts the quality of both paddy and rice. To conserve energy during the drying process, deep bed dryers are used as convective dryers that use a combination of ambient airflow and heating, thus relying on airflow, temperature, and relative humidity (RH) as the primary drying parameters. Consequently, an aeration system is necessary so that the drying air can penetrate the thick pile of paddy grain and distribute evenly throughout the drying chamber. This analysis aimed to determine the most optimal aeration system by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the AHP-TOPSIS method. The quantitative and visual analysis of the airflow velocity, pressure, temperature, and RH was conducted using CFD on four different dryer aeration systems models, which were then ranked by preference value using the AHP-TOPSIS method. Model 4, with a sloping floor and circular pipe formation, was found to have the most optimal aeration system (preference value of 0.788) for a paddy grain deep bed dryer prototype.

Source: Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering

DOI: 10.15302/j-fase-2024577

Authors: Diswandi NURBA, Sutrisno S. MARDJAN, Dyah WULANDANI, Leopold O. NELWAN, I Dewa Made SUBRATA

Institutions: Universitas Syiah Kuala, IPB University

Language: English

Topic: Food Drying and Modeling

Subfield: Food Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Dana Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia, Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan, Universitas Syiah Kuala