Study of Drying Rates in Single Day Smoke (SS) Dryer with Different Types of Bio Fuel and Properties of Ribbed Smoked Sheets(RSS) Produced
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Date
2015
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Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Major raw rubber type produces in Sri Lanka is Ribbed Smoked Sheets (RSS) The Single Day Smoke Dryer (SS Dryer) was introduced as an improvement of the conventional smoke houses used for smoking. The new system reduces the drying time and increase the drying efficiency and properties of RSS. Saw dust is commonly used as the bio fuel to produce hot smoke for SS drying systems. It had been observed there was a retardation of drying using certain types of saw dust. It is thought to be due to the borax treatment. The research was carried out therefore to study of drying rates in SS dryer with different types of bio fuels and properties of RSS. Prepared RSS were dried in SS dryer using different biofuels including rubber firewood; rubber saw dust, 2 treated saw dust types and oil palm fiber waste. Weights of randomly selected sheets were measured. Temperature and air flow inside the dryer were measured hourly. Then raw rubber properties (Plasticity, Plasticity Retention Index, Mooney viscosity, Volatile matter) and physical properties (Hardness, Abrasion volume loss, Tensile strength, Tear strength) were analyzed. Treated rubber saw dust types and oil palm fiber waste increased drying period that caused the reduction of drying rates in SS dryer compared to untreated rubber saw dust. Drying rates of different drying locations of the dryer (upper, middle, bottom) were varied with treated saw dust types only. Raw rubber properties and physical properties of RSS were varied with different bio fuels and drying locations of the dryer. Mooney viscosity of RSS was not within standard range with treated saw dust-2 and oil palm fiber waste. Physical properties of RSS were increased with treated saw dust types and oil palm fiber waste. But untreated saw dust is better compared to other bio fuels in terms of drying rates properties of RSS.
Key Words: Ribbed Smoked Sheets (RSS), Single Day Smoke Dryer (SS Dryer), Bio fuel, Borax treatment, Drying rate, Raw rubber properties, Physical properties
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Palm and Latex Technology and Value Addition Degree Programme ( PLT)