Design, fabrication , and testing of laboratory scale batch fluidized bed dryer for paddy rice (Oryza sativa L.) NSIC Rc160 (Tubigan14) / John Xavier B.Adina, Zharren Jireh P. James, Arleth Jules R. Vino

UTHESIS (Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering)

Bibliography: leaves 65-68

According to Philippine Statistical Authority, Region I ranks fourth in paddy rice production, accounting for 59.67 percent of the country’s total rice crops. Due to the occasional unavailability of high grain quality and seasonal storms, the demand for rice, a main source of energy, increases, driving prices up. Recent studies show that fluidized bed dryers close this gap. This particular study focused on the design and testing of a fabricated fluidized bed dryer for drying NSIC Rc160 rice grains. This particular variety of rice has a sphericity of 0.363 and a density of 1071.73 kg m-3. The minimum fluidization velocity is computed to be 1.4282 ms-1.Three bed heights were tested namely 2, 4 and 6 cm. Through constant weighing process, the moisture content is determined. The different bed heights of dryer were able to achieve a final moisture content suitable for eight to twelve months of storage within twenty, thirty and forty minutes of operation, respectively. The distribution of air significantly impacted the uniformity of drying across different regions. The drying process displayed a two period drying rate, with an initial rapid drying phase followed by a slower drying rate. Additionally, increasing the bed height was found to extend the drying time and power consumption while reducing heat transfer due to a larger volume of contact.