Optimizing quinoa seed drying modes in a drum dryer with a channel nozzle

The article presents the results of experimental studies of primary technological processes for processing quinoa seeds of domestic selection on a pilot drying unit. The purpose of the study is to identify rational values of the parameters of the post-harvest seed drying process in a continuous drum dryer. The object of the study was the process of convective drying of quinoa seeds of domestic selection of NPO "KVINOA CENTER", Novokubansk, Krasnodar Territory, variety Kadi, harvest of 2024. The experiment was carried out on a pilot unit of a drum dryer with channel nozzles for transverse feeding of the drying agent. The influence of the main process parameters (temperature and flow rate of the heat carrier, productivity for wet material) on the process was studied. Drying optimization was carried out based on the condition of minimizing specific energy consumption when reaching the moisture content of quinoa seeds up to 8.0–8.5% at the outlet of the dryer. The multicriterial optimization problem was solved using the three-factor design of the Box-Wilson experiment. The dispersion analysis was carried out using the ANOVA method. The response surface methodology was used to analyze and visualize the experimental data. Finding the region of optimal values was carried out using the Harrington desirability function. Rational intervals of input factor values were established from the analysis of the array of solutions: heat carrier temperature at the inlet to the drum 323-325 deg. K; heat carrier flow rate 0.312-0.316 m3/s; productivity for wet seeds 1583.8-1586.12 kg/h. The use of these modes of moisture removal from quinoa seeds ensures the minimization of energy costs for the process drying at the required storage parameters.