Variable far infrared radiation (VFIR) technique for cubic carrot drying

Authors

  • Sirinuch Chindaruksa Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand
  • Pisit Maneechot Department of Environmental and Agricultural Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
  • Seishu Tojo Department of Environmental and Agricultural Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
  • Kengo Watanabe Department of Environmental and Agricultural Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan

Keywords:

CT image, drying characteristics, FIR drying, shrink

Abstract

Far Infrared Radiation (FIR) technology has rarely been used for agricultural products. In this paper, FIR technique was applied to dry a carrot and its drying performance was experimentally investigated by observing structural deformation and color change of the dried product. A Computed Tomographic (CT) scanner was employed for the observation of internal structure of product. Variable FIR drying was tested to dry carrot in the initial moisture content of 1125 %d.b. The power of variable FIR was controlled with moisture content of test carrot as follows; 600 W for 2 hours, followed by 400 W for 2 hours and maintained at 200 W FIR until the end of process. The quality of dried carrot was examined from CT image analysis and the dried carrot structure by variable FIR drying was similar to the hot air drying process. The color of the dried carrot was maintained like fresh carrot. We concluded that variable FIR drying had some advantages for energy saving, shorter drying time and quality of product in comparison with hot air drying.

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How to Cite

Chindaruksa, S., Maneechot, P., Tojo, S., & Watanabe, K. (2014). Variable far infrared radiation (VFIR) technique for cubic carrot drying. Journal of Renewable Energy and Smart Grid Technology, 7(2), 31–38. Retrieved from https://ph01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/RAST/article/view/26229

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 2 (2012): July - December 2012

Section

Articles

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