The improvement of corn grain drying using air dehumidification: Energy consumption evaluation and techno-economic analysis

Dewi Qurrota A'yuni; Setia Budi Sasongko; Moh. Djaeni; Andri Cahyo Kumoro; Agus Subagio; Dewi Qurrota A'yuni; Setia Budi Sasongko; Moh. Djaeni; Andri Cahyo Kumoro; Agus Subagio

doi:10.3934/agrfood.2025032

AIMS Agriculture and Food

2025, Volume 10, Issue 3: 638-661. doi: 10.3934/agrfood.2025032

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Research article

The improvement of corn grain drying using air dehumidification: Energy consumption evaluation and techno-economic analysis

1.
Chemical Engineering Study Program, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Jl. Terusan Ryacudu, Way Huwi, Jati Agung, South Lampung, 35365, Indonesia
2.
Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Diponegoro, Jl. Prof. Sudharto, SH, Tembalang, Semarang, Central Java, 50275, Indonesia
3.
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universitas Diponegoro, Jl. Prof. Sudharto, SH, Tembalang, Semarang, Central Java, 50275, Indonesia

Received: 07 July 2025 Revised: 13 August 2025 Accepted: 22 August 2025 Published: 01 September 2025

Freshly harvested corn contains high moisture content, thereby requiring a drying process to prevent quality degradation. This research aimed to improve the conventional drying process by adding an air dehumidification process with solid desiccant. Corn grains were dried at various temperatures (40, 50, 60, and 70 ℃) and two airflow rates (10 and 15 m/s) at a 20–25 kg capacity. As indicators, the drying time required and energy consumption were evaluated. Research showed that air dehumidification was able to shorten the drying time, thereby reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. At a low drying temperature (50 ℃), air dehumidification showed a higher impact on moisture removal and shortened the drying process. Furthermore, the techno-economic aspect was evaluated. The research showed that the drying process with an adsorbent was most efficient at 40 ℃ and an air velocity of 15 m/s. In this condition, the benefit-to-cost ratio (B/C ratio) was 1.23, and the payback period was 1.41 years.
- air dehumidification,
- carbon dioxide emissions,
- desiccant,
- feasibility,
- grain drying
Citation: Dewi Qurrota A'yuni, Setia Budi Sasongko, Moh. Djaeni, Andri Cahyo Kumoro, Agus Subagio. The improvement of corn grain drying using air dehumidification: Energy consumption evaluation and techno-economic analysis[J]. AIMS Agriculture and Food, 2025, 10(3): 638-661. doi: 10.3934/agrfood.2025032

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Abstract

Freshly harvested corn contains high moisture content, thereby requiring a drying process to prevent quality degradation. This research aimed to improve the conventional drying process by adding an air dehumidification process with solid desiccant. Corn grains were dried at various temperatures (40, 50, 60, and 70 ℃) and two airflow rates (10 and 15 m/s) at a 20–25 kg capacity. As indicators, the drying time required and energy consumption were evaluated. Research showed that air dehumidification was able to shorten the drying time, thereby reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. At a low drying temperature (50 ℃), air dehumidification showed a higher impact on moisture removal and shortened the drying process. Furthermore, the techno-economic aspect was evaluated. The research showed that the drying process with an adsorbent was most efficient at 40 ℃ and an air velocity of 15 m/s. In this condition, the benefit-to-cost ratio (B/C ratio) was 1.23, and the payback period was 1.41 years.

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