Analysis of Energy Consumption in Drying Process of Paticleboards from Montong Durian Peel Using a Combined Multi-Feed Microwave-Convective Air and Continuous Belt System (CMCB)
Abstract:
This research presents the energy consumption analysis in drying process of particleboards from Montong-durian peel using a Combined Multi-Feed Microwave-Convective Air and Continuous Belt System (CMCB). The construction of this system consists of twelve magnetrons of 800 Watt and 2.45 Gigahertz wavelength combined with hot-air generator. Main research materials are particleboards, made from Montong peel and contained fiber, powder and water. Four different mixture proportions, formulated for 20 centimeters x 20 centimeters x 1 centimeter particleboards were 1:1:1, 1:1:1.5, 2:1:1.5 and 2:1:2, respectively. All the tested
parameters are moisture content, temperature, dielectric properties, time, specific energy consumption and efficiency in drying process.
By using a constant microwave power 2400 Watts, the study analyzed for 3 cases: different temperatures of hot-air 40, 50 and 60 Degrees Celsius, respectively. Particleboards were then brought to verify the quality with a scanning electron microscope and examined their physical properties, mechanical properties and thermal properties.
The results show that with a higher hot-air temperature, a drying time was shortened, and the specific energy consumption and higher efficiency in the drying process was decreased. By considering all cases with the microwave power fixed at 2400 Watts, which cover using hot-air temperature of 40, 50 and 60 Degrees Celsius, the specific energy consumption of equal to 0.1129, 0.0968 and 0.0926 Megajoules per kilogram, respectively. Conclusively, using hot-air temperature of 60 Degree Celsius yields the lowest specific energy consumption.