The course of drying and colour changes of alfalfa under different drying conditions
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Kuupäev
2019
Kättesaadav alates
Autorid
Ajakirja pealkiri
Ajakirja ISSN
Köite pealkiri
Kirjastaja
Abstrakt
One of the conditions for successful livestock breeding and efficient livestock
production is to ensure quality feed. High quality feed for livestock is alfalfa, which has a very
high nutritional value and its cultivation is also important for crop production in terms of
improving the soil structure and nitrogen enrichment. The aim of this paper is to inform about the
experimental investigations of alfalfa drying and colour changes under different drying
conditions. The results of natural convection at 27.5 °C and 40% relative air humidity are
compared with forced convection at 1.2 m s
-1
air flow velocity at the same air temperature and
with results of drying by natural convection at 50 °C. The dry matter content was measured
gravimetrically after drying in a hot air dryer at 105 °C. Higher drying rates shorten the time
required for drying and earlier preservation and storage in the hayloft or in the hay bales. This
reduces the risk of wetting of feed such by rain and degradation by fungi, etc. A shorter drying
time is also important in terms of energy savings. The precise knowledge of the drying process
and drying curves allows also to determine the appropriate time for storage and conservation for
production of another type of fodder e.g. haylage or silage. The measurement results show a
positive effect of higher drying speeds as well as increased air temperature. Higher drying air
temperature during convection led to the partial lightening and greater yellowing of the feed.
Kirjeldus
Article
Märksõnad
forced drying, natural drying, moisture, spectrophotometer, temperature, articles