Uji performansi mesin pengering (dryer) efek rumah kaca (erk) hibrid tipe bak untuk pengeringan jagung pipilan (Zea mays L)

Abstract

Drying is one of the important stages in postharvest technology of grains, particularly corn. Drying process can be done by natural drying or artificial drying methods. Natural drying is drying by utilizing direct sunlight, while artificial drying is drying process by using dryer machines or mechanical dryer. Green House Effect (GHE) hybrid solar dryer has been developed to fullfill the needed of solar dryer machine which can be operated eventhough in the unfavorable weather or in the night, so it can be operated 24 hours in a day. The aim of this study is to evaluate performance of GHE hybrid solar dryer which has been designed specifically for one ton (zea mays grain) capacity. Result of this study shows that the machine should be operated in hybrid system to reach the drying temperature level (40-60 oC). Solar energy as main energy source only share 10%-25% of the total heat energy needed for the process. Additional energy for the heating process given by biomass (fire wood) at combustion rate 5.05-5.39 kg/hour. It needed 23-25 hours to reduce moisture content from around 31% wb to 14% wb, in the average temperature of drying chamber 55.72 oC and relative humidity at 33.8%. Average total energy efficiency of the drying system using only solar irradiation as energy source (in the morning and sunny day), hybrid system (in unfavorable condition), and only biomass (in the night) are 27.5% , 28.3% and 43.74%.