Design and Development of a Knock-Down Hot Air Drying

Abstract

This research aims to design and create a detachable hot air oven suitable for drying vegetables, fruits, and agricultural products, considering ease of use and mobility. The operational system of the detachable hot air oven uses a heating device with a control system to adjust the internal temperature of the oven and sensors to measure the temperature. Additionally, it controls the rotation of the fan to help distribute heat to the materials, which helps reduce moisture levels. The hot air oven is widely used in community enterprises or small-scale industries that are involved in the production of food products and various household items. In the market, these ovens are heavy and expensive. Therefore, the researchers developed a detachable hot air oven to address these limitations, which is lightweight, simple to move, and can operate continuously for no less than 4–8 hours, with a maximum temperature setting of up to 120 degrees Celsius. The principle of hot air operation is that the fan draws heat generated by the heater at the bottom of the device upwards to evenly distribute heat throughout the material. The drying time depends on the shape and type of the raw materials, averaging about 2–3 hours. The development of this detachable hot air oven allows for adjustable distances between the drying trays as needed. Testing the drying efficiency found that the heat inside the oven is consistent, with a temperature control system according to user requirements. It is easy to use and meets the diverse needs of the agricultural sector.