Frequency, moisture content, bulk density and hybrid effects on grain sorghum dielectric properties

Authors

  • Eros Estevão Moura Brazilian Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology
  • Pedro Amorim Berbert Northern Rio de Janeiro State University
  • Elias Fernandes Souza UENF - Northern Rio de Janeiro State University
  • Ricardo Ferreira Garcia UENF - Northern Rio de Janeiro State University
  • Marilia Amorim Molina UENF - Northern Rio de Janeiro State University
  • Marcia Ramos Oliveira UENF - Northern Rio de Janeiro State University

Keywords:

relative permittivity, loss factor, radiofrequency impedance

Abstract

The interest in the dielectric properties of grains has been increasing over the years due to their potential utilization in advanced technologies such as the density-independent on-line estimation of moisture content in automatic control processes in grain drying operations. A capacitive sensor was used with a LCR meter to obtain a better understanding of the variation of relative permittivity and dielectric loss factor of four hybrids of grain sorghum in the frequency range from 75 kHz to 5 MHz, at 23°C and 62% relative humidity. Curves that are presented illustrate the variation of these dielectric properties on moisture content (7% to 23% w.b.), bulk density (575 to 819 kg/m3) and hybrid. The obtained results should provide a firm basis for future accurate, fast and non-destructive determination of grain moisture content and bulk density in automated industrial drying and storage processes.

Author Biographies

Eros Estevão Moura, Brazilian Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology

Database Systems Laboratory

Lecturer and researcher

Pedro Amorim Berbert, Northern Rio de Janeiro State University

Agricultural Engineering Laboratory

Lecturer

Elias Fernandes Souza, UENF - Northern Rio de Janeiro State University

Agricultural Engineering Lab

Lecturer and researcher

Ricardo Ferreira Garcia, UENF - Northern Rio de Janeiro State University

Agricultural Engineering Laboratory

Lecturer and researcher

Marilia Amorim Molina, UENF - Northern Rio de Janeiro State University

Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratory Lecturer and researcher

Marcia Ramos Oliveira, UENF - Northern Rio de Janeiro State University

Agricultural Engineering Laboratory

Researcher

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Published

2016-03-22

Issue

Section

VI-Postharvest Technology and Process Engineering