1Division of Processing and Food Engineering, CoAE&T, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir-190 025 (India)
2Division of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, CoAE&T, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir-190 025 (India)
*email: faisalpatna@gmail.com
Online Published on 05 February, 2026.
The study focused on the modification of a pneumatic dryer for easing the process of sample intake and removal. A lever type arrangement was developed with hot air blown from the bottom to assess the working of the dryer. The performance evaluation of the dryer was conducted on potato (Solanum tuberosum) at different temperatures (60, 50 and 80° C), cube sizes (1 and 1.5 cm3) and treated with Sodium Meta Bisulphite (NaMS). The results were assessed through drying models for the appropriateness in characterizing the drying behaviour of potato. The results indicated the maximum dehydration ratio of 0.36, rehydration ratio of 1.90 at 80° C for 1 cm3 size. Moreover, the shrinkage percentage of 78.4 was recorded for 1 cm3 at 60° C, which was comparatively lower than 48.8 at 80° C temperature. The colour change, that defined the visible change was 20.0 for 1.5 cm3 at 80° C and 1.71 for 1 cm3 at 60° C temperature. The optimization of the data through design expert 13.0 revealed the response value of 4.58, 24.97 and 5.0 for 80° C temperature, 1 cm3 cube size and 0% NaMS, respectively. The study can be beneficial for utilizing the pneumatic fluidized bed dryer for different crops for improvement in shelf life and nutrient quality.
Modification, Optimization pneumatic dryer, Potato, Rehydration ratio
