Design and Development of Compact Desiccant Seed Dryer

摘要

A dryer was developed to dry seed at safe temperatures that used a silica-gel bed and an electric heater. The air was re-circulated in the dryer for energy conservation. The dryer was tested with brinjal and carrot seeds. Drying temperature was 40 ℃. Carrot seed were dried from an initial moisture content of 8.8 to 4.9 % (wb) while farm fresh brinjal seed were dried to a final moisture content of 5.7 % (wb). Silica-gel was regenerated with hot air supplied by an electric heater at 90 ℃.