Desarrollo de un modelo matemático para dimensionar un deshidratador solar directo de cacao//Development of a mathematical model to determine the proportions a direct solar dehydrator of cacao

Authors

  • Juan-Manuel Teixeira-Da Silva Fundación Instituto de Ingeniería, Centro Ingeniería Mecánica. Caracas
  • Freddy-Alberto Malpica-Pérez Universidad Simón Bolívar, Laboratorio de Conversión de Energía Mecánica. Caracas

Abstract

Se desarrolló un modelo analítico transitorio cuyo objetivo es determinar las dimensiones de un deshidratador solar de cacao utilizando aire calentado por colector solar plano y almacenador térmico. El aire caliente atraviesa la cámara de secado que protege al cacao del ambiente exterior y permite la insolación solar directa. El modelo se aplicó al secado solar tradicional en patios. Las condiciones ambiental es promedio de la localidad bajo estudio fueron los datos de entrada al modelo. Los resultados indicaron que el aire puede alcanzar 65ºC de temperatura y el 10% de humedad relativa. La curva de secado modelada presentó concordancia con la curva de secado experimental. Los resultados analíticos permitieron obtener las dimensiones del deshidratador propuesto: longitudes, ancho del equipo y altura de la chimenea. La simulación indicó que el uso de un almacenador térmico permite continuar el secado del cacao durante dos horas y media después del ocaso.

Palabras claves: secado de cacao, modelo matemático, deshidratador solar, calentador solar, almacenador térmico.

____________________________________________________________________________

Abstract

A transient analytical model was developed which aims to determine the dimensions of a solar dehydrator of cacao that uses heated air as drying media. The air is heated in a flat solar collector and thermal storage unit. Then, the heated air crosses the drying section where the cacao is protected against open atmosphere and allows transmission of solar irradiation. The model was applied to the yard traditional solar drying of cacao.Local average values of environmental conditions were input data to the model. The results indicate that the air can reach a temperature as 65°C with a relative humidity as 10%. The drying curve obtained presents agreement with the experimental drying curve. The analytical results allow obtaining the dimensions of the proposed dehydrator: lengths, equipment’s width and chimney’s height. The simulation indicates the drying of the cacao can continue during two and a half hours after sunset.

Key words: drying of cacao, mathematical model, solar dehydrator, heating lot, storage thermal.

Downloads

How to Cite

1.
Teixeira-Da Silva J-M, Malpica-Pérez F-A. Desarrollo de un modelo matemático para dimensionar un deshidratador solar directo de cacao//Development of a mathematical model to determine the proportions a direct solar dehydrator of cacao. Ing. Mec. [Internet]. 2016 Jan. 1 [cited 2025 Sep. 13];19(1):30-9. Available from: https://ingenieriamecanica.cujae.edu.cu/index.php/revistaim/article/view/532

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 1 (2016): enero-abril

Section

Original article

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

a. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

b. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

c. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).