Development of Far Infrared Ray Based Drying Unit Using Woodceramics

Development of eco-friendly drying process at biomass complex, using Japanese medical herb, was conducted in this study. It is neccessary to materialize low temperature drying in a short period of time to achieve required quality target at competitive cost without losing nutritional value. Eco-material named Woodceramics, invented in Aomori, Japan, was also known for radiation heating from far infrared rays, which is usually effective for plants drying from the inside. Woodceramics also has the properties of absorbing water and storing heat. It was applied as a drying material for Japanese traditional herb in this study. Frequent studies of possible application of Woodceramics as a heating material have been reported in the past. Because of the drying effect of far infrared rays and the other two properties with synergetic effect, we have viewed that it could be also applied as a drying unit of vegetables and grain, and their byproducts. In the first experiment, we tested the various temperature conditions to obtain optimum temperature for maintaining color, appearance and nutritional value. As a result, the quality of leaves and stalks has no deterioration even when applied at over 80℃, after adequate low temperature drying time at and around 45℃. Secondly, a test in drying stalks, which is usually the most difficult to dry, was conducted on Ashitaba, a Japanese herb, in various forms under control test such as cutting, slicing, smashing and pelleting to determine the most appropreate form for drying. Thirdly, the effect of far infrared rays of Woodceramics was tested by comparing Woodceramics burned at 500℃ and 800℃. Consequently, based on these three tests, we have discovered that the ideal process of drying Ashitaba is to start at a low temperature of 45℃ and sterilize at 80℃. We have verified that we can reduce the weight of Ashitaba by 50% and save time and energy by 30% with Woodceramics burned at 800℃, as compared to no treatment in drying in cutting pelleting form.