Diseño de la cadena de deshidratación post-cosecha para conservar frutas de exportación: diseño de horno Deshidratador de GLP para remover el contenido de agua antes de la exportación.

Abstract

The preservation of fruits and vegetables in Ecuador is a highly relevant issue when it comes to exporting quality, durable, and affordably priced products. That's why companies like Agroapoyo are seeking to improve their production and upgrade their old drying ovens. This leads to the creation and detailing of a new mechanical dehydrator design for the various fruits and vegetables that the company processes, with the aim of reducing drying times, reducing fossil fuel consumption, and maintaining food safety in the dehydration process. To maintain food safety, it's necessary to use materials permitted in the food industry such as AISC 304 stainless steel, heat and moisture-resistant insulated walls with inert coatings. The design meets the proposed objectives by increasing energy efficiency and reducing LPG consumption, providing safety and comfort when handled by operators, and featuring automatic temperature control, emergency stop, and humidity control in the chamber. Finally, a priority was placed on making the design both attractive and functional, for both the company and consumers. The new mechanical dehydrator design for fruits and vegetables is crucial for maintaining the quality, durability, and competitiveness of Ecuador's agricultural products. By considering processing capacity, energy efficiency, safety, and aesthetics in the design, an efficient and safe process can be achieved.