A STUDY OF SOME HYDRO-THERMAL PROPERTIES OF SANDBOX (HURA CREPITANS) SEED

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Thermal properties of crops are very important in the design of drying, processing and storage equipment. The availability of thermal properties data on Hura creptance seed will assist in machine design, equipment manufacturing and the seed processing where they required heat treatment.

The specific heat, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of Hura creptance seed were determined as a function of moisture content which varies from 6 to 20% (d.b). The results of the experiment on the moisture content-related thermal properties were analyzed using regression analysis.

The specific heat capacity of the seed was found to be in the range 0.0681- 0.2949J/Kg ^oC with temperature range of 40 to 80^oC, while the thermal conductivity was found to be between 0.0062 to 0.1323 KJ/ms^oC. The thermal diffusivity was found to be between 1.62 to 16.74 m²s-¹ in the same range of moisture content. The results show that thermal properties of the seed is moisture dependent. A linear relationship was established between the moisture content and the thermal properties investigated in the range of moisture studied. The analysis showed that moisture content was significant on all properties studied.

The results of this experiment could be useful in the seed processing and storage when heat treatment is involved.

Key words:

Thermal properties, temperature, heat capacity, specific heat, thermal diffusivity.