Tag Archives: drying time

737–744 P. Kic
Effect of different air velocities on convective thin-layer drying of alfalfa for livestock feeding
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Effect of different air velocities on convective thin-layer drying of alfalfa for livestock feeding

P. Kic

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Engineering, Kamycka 129, CZ165 21 Prague 6, Czech Republic
Correspondence: kic@tf.czu.cz

Abstract:

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is widely used as forage which has very high feeding value. The aim of this paper is to inform about the experimental and theoretical investigations of alfalfa drying in thin layer. Special device for convection drying with air flow passing through material from bottom through supporting trays with sieve by constant temperature was used for drying when air velocity was 0.7 m s-1, 1 m s-1, 1.2 m s-1 and 2.0 m s-1. The results were compared with natural convection drying by the same temperature, but with the 0 m s-1 air velocity. The increased air velocity for convection influenced drying process positively. The results show that the differences between the drying with air velocities 1.2 m s-1 and 2 m s-1 are very small, therefore 1.2 m s-1 could be realised as an optimum. The evaluation of measurement results was focused on curves of drying rate, changes in water content and changes of moisture depending on the time and their mutual relations. Experimental data create the background for calculation of main parameters useful for description and modelling of the drying process, which can be helpful e.g. for decision of optimum drying time. Drying alfalfa for hay by forced convection shortened the drying time as compared with natural convection two and a half times. Drying alfalfa for haylage by forced convection shortened the drying time as compared with natural convection even four times.

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