The performance of natural convection solar
dryers for copra production
C.K. SANKAT and R.A. ROLLE
Faculty ofEngineering, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad. Received 20 February 1990;accepted 25 October
1990.
Sankat, C.K. and Rolle, R.A. 1991. The performance of natural
convection solar dryers for copra production. Can. Agric. Eng.
33:085-091. Three natural convection solar crop dryers of simple
design and suitable for use by small farmers in the tropics were
evaluated with respect to their ability to dry split, dehusked coconuts.
Dryer A was an indirect dryer consisting of an air pre-heater and
drying chamber. Dryers B and C were direct dryers of the cabinet type,
with dryer C being simpler in design and lowest in cost Air tempera
tures in the dryers increased above ambient (29°C) by maximum
values of 22°C, 11°C, and 9°C for dryers B, C and A respectively.
Dryer B showed the fastest rate of coconut moisture content reduction
while there was little difference in this parameter between dryers A and
C. On the basis of the effective collector areas, estimated moisture
2 1
removal rates were 0.66,0.64 and 0.58 kg H2O m" -day" for dryers C,
A and B respectively. In the direct dryers, kernels which were posi
tioned to face upwards and directly exposed to the solar radiation dried
faster than those oriented in a downward position. Dryers B and C
produced copra of good quality, except for slight browning of the
product in dryer B. In dryer A, 67% of the kernels were of unaccept
able quality due to fungal growth.
On a evalue le rendement de trois secheurs solaires de recolte par
convection naturelle. De conception simple, ces secheurs conviennent
parfaitement aux petits exploitants agricoles des tropiques. On a
evalue la capacite de ces appareils a secher des noix de coco fendues
et decortiquees. Le secheur A comprenait un prechauffeur d'air et une
chambre de s^chage. Les secheurs B et C etaient des secheurs directs
du type armoire. C etait moins cher et de conception plus simple. Les
temperatures de l'air, dans les secheurs B, C et A, depasserent
respectivement la temperature ambiante (29°C) par des valeurs max-
imales de 22 °C, 11 °C et 9 °C. Le secheur B indiqua le taux le plus
rapide de reduction d'humidite des noix de coco, tandis que les
secheurs A et C presentaient peu de differences. A partir d'aires de
collecteur effectives, les taux de deshumidification ont ete estimes a
0,66, 0,64 et 0,58 kg de H2O m" •jour" , pour les secheurs C, A et B
respectivement. En ce qui a trait aux secheurs directs, les noix, dont
la face etait exposee vers le haut directement aux rayons solaires, ont
seche plus rapidement que celles orientees vers le bas. Les secheurs B
et C produisirent du copra de bonne qualite, a 1'exception d*un leger
brunissage du produit dans le secheur B. Dans le secheur A, 67 %des
noix etaient de qualite inacceptable a cause de moisissure.
INTRODUCTION
The coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) grows widely in the Car
ibbean islands, either in pure stands on the large estates or
intercropped on small farms. It is a palm of considerable
economic importance, with the principal product of the coco
nut being the dried endosperm or kernel, commonly called
"copra". This is used for the production of edible oil. The fresh
coconut kernel is usually dried from an initial moisture content
of 40-50% (wet basis) to a level below 10%, to ensure safe
CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING
storage. Whole, dehusked coconuts are usually split into
halves (split nuts) and dried with the kernel in the shell. The
dried kernel or copra is more readily removed from the shell
after the drying process.
In the Caribbean islands, copra dryers commonly used by
farmers can be put into one of three categories, this being
determined principally by the size of the farm. The dryers used
are:
(i) Forced convection, flat bed, batch type dryers which utilise
fuel oil as the energy source. The drying air temperature is
usually in the range of 60-70°C. These dryers, limited in
numbers and usage, are used on large (150-1300 ha) or
medium sized (5-150 ha) estates.
(ii)Natural convection, batch type copra dryers which directly
utilise the heat of combustion of coconut shells as the sole
source of energy. These are widely utilised on large and
medium sized estates.
(iii)Open, natural drying of copra using direct sunshine (sun
drying). This is the simplest and cheapest method available
for copra manufacture, usually with no initial investment
required, except in some cases where a concrete floor is
used for spreading and drying the nuts. A drying time of
6-7 days of good sunshine is required (ambient temperature
averaging 30°C) for split coconutsdried in a single layer.
This method is used extensively by small scale farmers,
many having farm sizes less that 1 ha. However the product
is generally of variable quality, often mouldy and contam
inated by dust and dirt.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a solar
dryer of simple design, construction and operation, as well as
of low initial cost for the use of small-scale Caribbean farmers
and copra producers. A dryer with a batch capacity of 100-150
coconuts/week of operation appeared adequate to meet the
needs of such farmers. In evaluating the dryer, its performance
was to be compared with that of two natural convection solar
crop dryers of conventional design. The drying of split nuts
(kernels in shells) was to be evaluated, as this is the preferred
method of many copra producers.
SOLAR DRYER DESIGNS
Three solar dryers were evaluated in this study and are shown
schematically in Fig. 1. On these designs, two were existing
dryers (dryers A and B) of previously reported design while
85
 air exit
the third, dryer C, was designed and built specifically for this
drying chamber^ study. It is noted that Trinidad's location is 10.5°N latitude,
drying and that the optimum angle (0) that a fixed, solar collector is
trays tilted from the horizontal is a function of the latitude ($) and
the declination angle (8) of the sun, that is
sokjro/r heater*.

0= $ + 5 (1)
air inlet
The drying studies were programmed for the month of
air exit
March, usually the hottest and driest month of the year. The
chosen design slope (a) to the horizontal for the direct, cabinet
drying trays
dryers Band C was therefore 10°, asa declination angle of0°
absorber plate was used. For indirect dryer A consisting of a separate solar air
air inlet
heater anddrying cabinet, a wassetat 33°soas to enhance the
air flow through the dryer.
DRYER B Table I shows the specifications of the three dryers used in
air exit
transparen this study.
caver^^^
absorber^, mid. Dryer A
plate
air inlet Kalra and Bhardwaj (1981) described a dryer of this type for
fruit and vegetable products. The solar air heater was of the
DSYER C parallel pass type, with air moving by natural convection on
Fig. 1. Schematic of three natural convection solar crop either side of a blackened, corrugated metal surface which was
dryers. positioned between a glass cover and an insulated (25 mm
Table I. Specifications of the three natural convection solar dryers used for copra drying
Specifications Dryer A Dryer B Dryer C

Type Indirect Direct Direct

Collector
Size (m) 1.84x0.93 1.86x0.92 2.40x1.20
Material glass glass plastic
Slope, a 33° 10° 10°
23° 0° 0°
CosP 0.92 1.00 1.00
Area (m2) - Ai 1.71 1.71 2.88
Effective area (m ) - A2** 1.57 1.71 2.88

Tray
Size (m) 0.89 x 0.38 0.89x0.38 2.40x1.20
Number 4 4 1
Total area (m2) - A3 1.35 1.35 2.88
No. split nuts - N 126 126 256

A2/A3 1.16 1.27 1.00

N/A2 (split nuts/m2) 80 74 89
N/A3 (split nuts/m2) 93 94 89

Airflow
Port size (m) 1.05x0.075 0.86x0.05 1.20x0.10
Area (m ) 0.079 0.043 0.120

Cost($US) 275 218 80

* P=noon anglebetweeninsolation andvector perpendicular to collector

= (ct-«|> + 8))
** Effective area= Ai cosP

86 SAKATandROLLE
styrofoam) plywood bottom. The woodendrying chamber was MATERIALS AND METHODS
1.05 m high x 1.05m wide x 0.38 m deep and wasdesigned to
Split, dehusked coconuts were dried in the three solar dryers
hold four trays stacked vertically. Hot air from the air heater
simultaneously with these trials conducted over a 5-day period
rose through the stack of trays and left the dryer through a
in the month of March, this being in the dry season of the year.
rectangular opening located at the top of the rear panel of the
drying chamber. Coconut loading
Dryer B Dryers A, B, and C were loaded (single layer) with 126,126
and 256 split nuts respectively giving a near uniform loading
This dryer is a cabinet dryer of the multi-rack design, pre
viously described by Sandhu et al. (1979). Four drying trays
density ranging from 89-94 split nuts/m2 oftray surface area
(Table I). Uniformity in loading was necessary to compare
could be removed or inserted into the drying cabinet through
dryer performances. Dehusked coconuts used in this study
rectangular slots (0.38 m x 0.10 m) provided for on the side of
were randomly selected, with the average weight per split nut
the cabinet. Rectangular ports provided for air movement at
being 0.197,0.176 and 0.182 kg for dryers A, B and C respec
the lower front, and top end of the dryer. The horizontal dryer tively. For the purposes of obtaining drying data in dryers A
base (absorber plate) was made of galvanized sheeting and
and B, three pairs of split nuts were labelled, individually
between this and the dryer support, 25 mm thick styrofoam
weighed and located at the centre and the two ends of each
insulation was used.
tray. For each pair of split nuts, one was positioned with the
Dryer C kernel facing down, while the other was positioned with the
This dryer of original design is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and was kernel facing up and therefore directly exposed to the sun.
This procedure was adopted to evaluate the effect of kernel
designed specifically for the drying of split coconuts by small
orientation on the rate of drying. In each of dryers A and B
farmers. Simplicity in design, low cost and ease of construc
therefore, the weight losses with time of 24 split nut samples
tion were the essential elements in the design considerations.
(4 x 6) were determined.
It consisted of a wooden-sided cabinet with a corrugated gal
For dryer C, consisting of a single drying tray, fourteen split
vanized base sheet located 0.20 m from the top. Screened air
nut samples were labelled, individually weighed and distrib
inlet and exit ports were provided for at the front and rear ends
uted across the inclined dryer surface, four on the top section,
of the dryer. A transparent plastic cover was made to fit snugly
six on the middle section and four on the bottom section. Of
over the sides of the cabinet. The cover was made with a
these fourteen samples, nine were oriented with the kernel
wooden frame to which clear plastic sheeting was attached.
facing up, and directly into the sun. In all three dryers, the
When operating, the air exit side was raised and supported
remaining split nuts which were being dried but not individu
above the air inlet side, so as to provide a cover with a slope
ally monitored, were generally positioned with the kernel
of 10° to the horizontal.
facing upwards.
The interior surfaces of all the drying cabinets and the air
heater of Dryer A were painted with flat, black paint and the Instrumentation
sloped solar collectors were all positioned to face south. In dryers A and B thermometers were supported in the centre
of each of the four trays to measure the drying air tempera
tures, with their bulbs well into the air stream and shielded

corrugated base sheet

clear p/ast/c cover

(.removable)
03/7?

•inclined iom to
the horizon tal
2 Am
when operating
air inlet wooden sides
(screened)

Fig. 2. Schematic of direct, cabinet copra dryer (Dryer C).

CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING 87

 content of 65.1% [(weight of kernel/weight of kernel and
shell) x 100]. On complete oven drying of split nuts (0%
moisture content) the mean kernel content of the samples was
59.5%. From these observations, the % kernel content by
weight in the split nuts was estimated as:

Y=0MX + Md (2)

where:
Y = % kernel content by weight in a split nut
(kernel + shell),
X = % moisture content (dry basis) of split nuts, and
Md = %kernel content by weight in sample split nuts oven
dried to 0% moisture content.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Fig. 3. Direct cabinet dryer containing split, dehusked
coconuts (Dryer C).
from the sun by the crop. Three thermometers were used for
dryer C, located at the top, middle and the bottom, while
ambient air temperature was measured by an additional ther
mometer. Insolation measurements were made with a
hand-held Dodge Solar Meter (Model 776) while split nut
weights were measured with two Sartorius (Model 1216 MP)
electronic, top-loading balances. A forced convection oven
(Blue M-Model OV490A-2) was used for moisture content
determinations.
In assessing the performance of the solar dryers, the following
parameters were evaluated:
(i) air temperature
(ii) kernel drying rate
(iii) product quality
(iv) drying cost
Drying air temperature
The weatherthroughout the drying period was fine? except for
day 3 when there was an unusual, intense rainstorm which
lasted for a couple of hours, and on day 4 in which there was
intermittent sunshine. Theair temperatures in thethree dryers,
together with the ambient temperatures, averaged at hourly

Procedure
A INSOLATION
Drying beganat 1600hon the first day,and continued to 1600h
on the fifth day. Dryers were left unmodified at nights and • DRYER A

during any period of rain. The masses of labelled samples of 55 _ * T DRYER B

800
split nuts were measured initiallyand at 900h and 1600h each / \ o DRYER C

day,whilethermometer readingsand insolation measurements

were taken at hourly intervals. At theendof thedrying run, the /Vv* ' AMBIENT

kernel was readily separated from the shell of the labelled, 50

split nuts by knocking the samples, face down, on a hard

surface. Thedryweights of thecorresponding kernel and shell
samples were determined after oven drying at 75°C for 48 45 600

hours. From this data, themoisture contents of the split nuts

during drying were determined, as well as the percent kernel
content by weight (Md) of each splitnutwhich was sampled. 40

Estimation of kernel weights

In thedrying process, theweights of splitnuts(kernel andshell 55
together) were recorded, and therefore the average moisture 400

content of such samples could be readily determined. Of par

ticular interest in this study however, was the variation in the
30 _
kernel moisture contentwith drying time. Thiscouldbe deter
mined only from a knowledge ofthe changes inkernel weights
which occurred with drying. Kernel weights in splitnuts were
therefore estimated as drying progressed. From weighing of 25 200
\t
split coconuts, it was determined that there was a small de 10 12 14 18

crease in the percentage (byweight) of kernel in the split nut, HOUR OF DAY

as thesplitnutlost moisture. It wasfound thatin thefresh, wet Fig. 4. Average daily drying air temperatures in the
state, split nuts (kernel and shell together) had an average solar dryers and insolation levels.
moisture content of 33% (dry basis), with a mean kernel

SAKATandROLLE
 intervals between 900h and 1600h and for the four, full days
of drying are shown in Fig. 4. Ambient temperatures varied
between 28 and 30°C. Drying temperatures were consistently
highest in dryer B, averaging 22*C above ambient between
1200h - 1300h, although a peak of 35°C above ambient was
recorded on the 3rd day ofdrying. Temperatures in dryer C
were usually 1-2°C higher than in dryer A, with the difference
in temperature between dryer C and ambient peaking at 11°C
between 1200h - 1300h.
The temperature spatial variability within the dryers is
shown in Fig. 5, where air temperatures between 900h and
1600h at various points in the dryers and averaged over the
four full days ofdrying areshown. Dryer B showed the small
est variability in air temperature with position indicating that
there was efficient air circulation within the dryer. Heat leak
age from this dryer was also reduced dueto good construction
and the use of a glasscoverand insulating material. Reduced
air inlet andexitareas in dryerB compared to dryers A andC
(Table I) limited the air flow rate in this dryer and conse
quently increased the air temperature. While being desirable,
it was notpossible to measure theactual air velocities through
DRYER
60
55
50
~ 45
40
35
30 Jk I L
12 16 12
HOUR OF DAY
Fig. 5. Average daily temperature variation in the three
solar dryers.
the dryers, given their very low values. In dryer A, an indirect
solar dryer, the highest air temperature was achieved on the
lowest tray (nearest to the air heater) and the temperature
profiles (Fig. 5) indicate an expected behaviour in that as the
air rose through the trays itlost enthalpy to evaporation and the
air temperature fell.
Dryer C showed the widest variation in air temperature,
with the path for airmovement being the longest here i.e. 2.40
m. Air temperatures in this dryer suffered from the lack of
insulation, particularly the inclined absorber plate which was
directly exposed to the ambient air. In both dryers B and.C,
highest temperatures were obtained in the middle rather than
at the top, probably due to the infiltration of the prevailing
winds (approaching from a north easterly direction) through
the air exits at the top of these dryers.
Figure4 alsoshowsinsolation valuesaveraged overthefour
full daysof drying. Duringthis time, insolation averaged 21.6
MJ» m" • day" with a range of 15.6 MJ« m"2- day"1 on day 4
to a peak of26.6 MJ« m~2» day"1 on day 2.
Kernel drying rate
Kernel weights were estimated by Eq. 2, and moisture contents
DRYER C thencalculated. The kernel moisturecontent (dry basis)for the
— tap three dryers at various locationsand for the 5 drying days are
— middle given in Tables II, III and IV. The moisture contents reported
'" bottom are mean values obtained from the individual samples in a
particular tray or location i.e. six samples per tray in dryers A
and B, four, six and four samples from the top, middle and
bottom sections respectively for dryer C. These tables also
show the overall, average kernel moisture content with time
(mean of all samples) for particular dryers. The kernel mois
ture content when the kernel is facing up or down, for a
particular dryer is also shown. From these tables, Fig. 6 was
constructed and it shows the changes in overall kernel mois
ture content ratio [variable moisture content (M)/initial
-^-'-^ moisture content (Mo)] with drying time. Figure 6 shows that
\*^ in the initial period of drying the rates of copra moisture
-L
content reduction for the three dryers are very similar. This
12 H
occurs as there is considerable free surface moisture in the
kernels i.e. remaining after water normally present in the
coconut kernel has been drained on splitting the shell. How
ever, as the drying progresses, and moisture movement from

Table II. Estimated kernel moisture content (dry basis)versus drying time for Dryer A
Moisture content (%) Avera^;e moisture content (%)
Day Time(hr)
Tray 1 Tray 2 Tray 3 Tray 4 Kernels up Kernels down Overall

1 16.00 51.5 59.4 47.7 52.1 51.8 53.2 52.5

2 9.00 41.7 47.6 39.6 42.0 41.4 43.0 42.2
2 16.00 34.9 34.3 32.3 31.5 32.5 32.9 32.7
3 9.00 31.4 34.8 29.2 26.8 29.3 30.8 30.0
3 16.00 25.7 28.2 24.1 23.0 24.8 24.9 24.8
4 9.00 23.4 25.0 22.0 20.9 22.6 22.4 22.5
4 16.00 19.0 21.0 18.8 17.9 19.2 19.1 19.1
5 9.00 19.6 20.1 17.9 17.1 18.4 18.4 18.4
5 16.00 15.6 16.1 13.8 13.8 14.9 14.4 14.6

CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING 89

within the kernel is made increasingly difficult, dryer B shows
the highest moisture content reduction with little difference
being exhibited between dryers AandC.This behaviour isdue
to the increased air temperature in dryerB compared to dryers
A andC, as previously noted. The workof Rajasekharan et al.
(1961) clearly demonstratedthe strong influenceof drying air
temperature on the rate of drying of copra.
Using the data of Tables II to IV, together with the initial
crop weights, moisture removal rates from the kernel averaged
over the four full days of drying are estimated as 1.92,1.00 and
0.99 kg H20/day for dryers C, A and B respectively. When
these rates are calculated on an effective collector area basis
however (Table I), they are 0.66,0.64 and 0.58 kg H2O m"2«
day"1 for dryers C, Aand Brespectively. These results show
that while the absolute moisture removal rates are not very
different for the three dryers, dryer C is marginally most
effective.
The horizontal segments in Fig. 6 indicate no drying at
nights, inthe latter half ofthe drying cycle. An examination of
the data in Tables II and III show that in certain situations
re-absorption of moisture by thekernel occurs in thenight.
An analysis of the drying data for dryer A showed no
difference in the kernel moisture content reduction rate when
in the up or down positions. However, this factor clearly
affected the kernel drying rate in dryer B, as shown in Fig. 7
and was also observed for dryer C, though to a lesser extent.
These results show that for direct solar dryers such as dryers B
and C, having the kernels directly exposed to the sun will
increase the drying rate.
Product quality
Dryer C produced good, white copra. Some of the product
from dryer B exhibited slight browning, indicating the onset of
charring due to high temperatures and prolonged drying. It is
noted that temperatures were highest in dryer B, with peak

1.0 DRYER A
1.0 O KERNEL FACING UP
V V DRYER B
o
A KERNEL FACING DOWN
2:
5 0.8 _ O O DRYER C
3 0.8
o

«r
cc

5 0.6
•— 2 0.6
i—
o z
C_> o
o
LU
'Jj
or
2 0.4
^0.4
I
8

0.2 -
0.2

JL -L J_ J.
JL -L JL
0 12 3 4 5
TIME OF DRYING (OAY)
TIME OF DRYING (DAY)
Fig. 6. Drying curves of coconut kernels in the three Fig. 7. Drying curves For coconut kernels oriented
solar dryers. either up or down in Dryer B.

Table HI. Estimated kernel moisture content (dry basis) versus drying time for Dryer B
Moisture content (%) Average moisture content (%)
Day Time(hr)
Tray 1 Tray 2 Tray 3 Tray 4 Kernels up Kernels down Overall

1 16.00 51.1 51.3 48.4 52.2 51.6 50.9 5.2

2 9.00 42.4 42.8 40.8 43.9 41.2 43.7 42.4
2 16.00 29.4 29.5 27.5 31.8 27.0 31.6 29.2
3 9.00 27.1 27.2 26.0 29.8 24.9 29.6 27.2
3 16.00 16.2 20.1 19.1 21.9 18.3 21.0 19.6
4 9.00 18.8 19.1 18.8 21.5 17.9 20.9 19.4
4 16.00 14.0 14.3 14.1 16.4 13.8 15.5 14.7
5 9.00 13.2 14.2 14.5 16.4 14.1 15.3 14.7
5 16.00 9.2 9.3 8.9 11.0 9.4 9.9 9.6

90 SAKATandROLLE
 Table IV. Estimated kernel moisture content (dry basis) versus drying time for Dryer C
Moisture content (%) Average moisture content (%)
Day Time(hr)
Top Middle Bottom Kernels up Kernels down Overall
1 16.00 57.9 50.0 52.1 52.8 53.9 53.3
2 9.00 49.2 40.4 42.1 40.5
2 47.3 43.9
16.00 37.5 27.7 30.9 30.3 33.7
3 9.00 32.0
33.6 24.4 27.9 27.0 30.3 28.6
3 16.00 27.6 19.8 25.1 24.6 23.8 24.1
4 9.00 22.1 18.4 23.2 21.1 21.4 21.2
4 16.00 21.8 15.2 20.0 18.8 19.2 19.0
5 9.00 21.3 14.7 19.7 18.2 18.9 18.5
5 16.00 16.2 11.2 15.8 14.4 14.3 14.4
values of65°C recorded on the third day ofdrying. In dryer A, completed in four days ofsunshine, with clean, white copra
only 33% ofthe product was ofgood quality, as the remainder produced. The dryer is simple to construct, possibly by the
exhibited moderate to excessive fungal growth, this being farmer himself, using materials which are readily available.
most apparent on the lowest trays, despite the air temperature The cost of drying is also low and is estimated at $US49 per
and drying rates in these trays being relatively higher (Fig. 5 tonne of copra. It is recommended that in operating such a
and Table II). The results indicate that there may have been dryer, the kernels be positioned to face directly into the sun
zero air-flow at night through dryer Amaintaining the lower shine. Indirect dryers, operating by natural convection and
trays in a stagnant, humid environment that is favourable for consisting ofcojipled solar airheaters and drying chambers are
fungal growth, while the upper trays had some air exchange not recommended for copra drying due to the potential for crop
with the wind. Moisture condensation onthe kernel's surface spoilage resulting from stagnant conditions and moisture con
as temperatures fall at night would also have contributed to densation, particularly at nights. For such dryers to be
this unfavourable behaviour.
effective, air flow should be maintained at night, possibly
Drying cost through thermal storage using for example arock bed orsealed
water tank.
Dryers A, B and C will currently cost US$275, US$128 and
US$80 respectively. These costs reflect the considerable re
duction in material and labour required for constructing dryer ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
C. Neglecting the differences in the drying time required for a The authors thank Mr. O. Lawrence and Mr. D. Padarath,
batch ofsplit coconuts, it is therefore expected that the annual technicians of the Mechanical Engineering Laboratories for
throughput ofdryer C will be approximately twice as much as their generous assistance in this study. We also thank Prof. D.
that of dryers Aor B. On the basis ofinitial cost, an expected McGaw and Dr. O. Headley for their suggestions.
dryer life of3years and an annual throughput which assumes
a drying season of 30 weeks/year with drying occurring in REFERENCES
weekly batches, itis estimated that the drying cost for copra KALRA, S.K. and K.C. BHARDWAJ. 1981. Use ofsimple
will be 49,230 and 250 $US per tonne for dryers C, Band A solar dehydrator for drying fruit and vegetable products J
respectively. For dryer C, the cost includes the expected re Food Sci. Technol. 18:23-26.
placement ofthe plastic cover at 15 week intervals during the RAJASEKHARAN, N., D.S. BHATIA and K.M.
drying season.
PANDALAI. 1961. Some preliminary studies on mechanical
CONCLUSION
drying of coconuts. Indian CoconutJ. 14:71-80.
From the results presented above, it is evident that a natural SANDHU, B.S., K.D. MANNAN, G.S. DHILLON, and L.S.
convection dryer of the direct, cabinet type as exemplified by CHEEMA. 1979. Design, development and performance of
dryer C in this study may be used by small farmers in the multi-rack natural convection dryers. In: Sun II. Proc. ISES
Caribbean islands for the drying of copra. Drying will be Silver Jubilee Congress [K.N. Boer and B.H. Glenn (Eds.)],
Pergamon Press, New York, NY.
CANADIAN AGRICULTUitALENGINEERING 91