Desarrollo de un sistema de secado de cacao de aroma, utilizando combustible convencional y energía renovable.

Abstract

This research develops an aroma cocoa drying system, using conventional fuel and renewable energy, geared to technical and economic analysis for a future implementation. It began by determining the optimal temperature for drying cocoa aroma, in Ventanas canton Los Ríos province, for using a control build a quality product that meets specific technical requirements, as a the control of the maximum temperature process drying and minimize the use of conventional energy with the use of solar energy when it is present, reducing the direct costs of drying and proper temperature control add extra value to the product. The research results in the design of a rotary dryer which uses LPG burner model A55, 50 000 kcal/h capacity and for solar panels to preheat the air before it enters the burner, with this fuel consumption is reduced producing a 11% savings in the drying process, the control system is relatively simple and inexpensive where air temperatures available and its temperature before entering the dryer are controlled. The drying time is approximately 6.69 hours, the materials used for its construction are commercially available. An economic analysis with a cost-benefit radio with an interest rate of 9%, equal to 2,86; guarantee that the benefits outweigh the cost and determined as an economically viable project with an estimated payback period of four years. It recommends to update the data used in the economic analysis because they are reference prices, which with the passage of time will suffer inevitable changes, so it must update of analysis before construction.