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Through‐circulation drying of seaweed I. Laminaria cloustoni stiple
Author(s) -
Gradner R. G.,
Mitchell T. J.
Publication year - 1953
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.2740040301
Subject(s) - water content , chemistry , stipe (mycology) , dry bulb temperature , botany , mineralogy , horticulture , humidity , geology , meteorology , biology , geotechnical engineering , physics
The drying characteristics of freshly harvested seaweed stipe of the species Laminaria cloustoni have been investigated in a laboratory through‐circulation drier. The stipes, with a water content of 83‐86%, were cut on a bacon slicer into discs 1/8‐in. thick by I‐I 1/4. in. diameter. Experiments on the effect of interruption of drying, initial water content, and repeatability established the experimental procedure before studying the principal factors. Variables studied were bed depth (0‐5‐7 in), air temperature (120–340° F.), air wet‐bulb depression (44‐228° F.) and air velocity [3‐9.5 lb./(sq. ft.)(min.)], slice thickness (1/165 to 1/16 in.) with an experiment on agitation. Static pressure drops of air passing through beds of dried and wet stipe slices were also investigated. As the initial drying rates of the seaweed beds were virtually constant, the value of this constant rate has been correlated with the drying factors. Drying times between water content limits of 5 to 0‐15 lb, of water/lb. of bone‐dry solids have been related by empirical equations to the drying conditions. It has been demonstrated that the drying rates of seaweed beds at average water contents of 5 to 0‐2 lb./lb. of bone‐dry solids are directly proportional to the wet‐bulb depression of the air, and a unit wet‐bulb depression evaporation coefficient may be used to find approximate drying times and rates. Tests showed that static beds of seaweed stipe were scorched at temperatures of 250° F. or higher. Factors to be considered in the design of a continuous through‐circulation drier for stipe are given.