Lalit M Bal
Post-Harvest Process and Food Engineering, College of Agriculture, Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University,
Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh- 472001
India
Research Article
Specific Energy Consumption in Convective-microwave Drying of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) Roots
Author(s): Ashok K Senapati, Rao PS, Lalit M Bal and Suresh PrasadAshok K Senapati, Rao PS, Lalit M Bal and Suresh Prasad
Evaluation of specific energy consumption was carried out during convective-microwave and convective drying of Ashwagandha root in a developed laboratory scale microwave dryer. The specific energy consumption in convective drying at 60ºC of air temperature and 1.0 m/s air velocity was estimated as 2.27 ± 0.12) MJ/kg of water evaporated. The increase in air velocity increased the energy consumption. The specific energy consumption at 6 W/g of microwave power level, 60ºC air temperature and 1.0 m/s air velocity was 0.396 ± 0.047) MJ/kg of water evaporated, resulting in about 82% energy saving as compared to convective drying processes. The drying time increased with increase in air velocity in convective - microwave drying process as a reverse trend that was observed in convective drying process of Ashwagandha roots. .. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2157-7110.1000362