Maize harvested with a moisture content of 14 % (wet basis) is stored in hermetic bags. The ambient moisture level is 7 % and the drying process follows the law

$$ M(t)=M_{e}+(M_{0}-M_{e})e^{-kt}, $$

where $M(t)$ is the moisture content (%) after $t$ days, $M_{e}=7\%$ is the equilibrium moisture, $M_{0}=14\%$ is the initial moisture and $k=0.05\ \text{day}^{-1}$.

(a) How many days are required for the moisture content to fall to 13 %?

(b) If the initial weight of the maize batch is 1000 kg at 14 % moisture, what is the weight loss (in kg) after it reaches 13 % moisture? (Assume the dry mass remains constant.)

Question

Maize harvested with a moisture content of 14 % (wet basis) is stored in hermetic bags. The ambient moisture level is 7 % and the drying process follows the law

$$ M(t)=M_{e}+(M_{0}-M_{e})e^{-kt}, $$

where $M(t)$ is the moisture content (%) after $t$ days, $M_{e}=7\%$ is the equilibrium moisture, $M_{0}=14\%$ is the initial moisture and $k=0.05\ \text{day}^{-1}$.

(a) How many days are required for the moisture content to fall to 13 %?

(b) If the initial weight of the maize batch is 1000 kg at 14 % moisture, what is the weight loss (in kg) after it reaches 13 % moisture? (Assume the dry mass remains constant.)

Accepted Answer

Approximately 3.1 days; weight loss ≈ 11.5 kg.

Neco Model Questions Vol1 2023 Agricultural Science Question 45

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