Experimental study on hot air drying of rapeseed (Brassica napus)

Rapeseed is one of the most important agricultural products for oil production in the world. In this paper, by taking the initial moisture content of rapeseed, the temperature and the velocity of the hot air as the main impact factors, the experimental study on hot air drying of rapeseed (Brassica napus) commonly planted in Chongqing was conducted. The curves of drying properties of the rapeseed were obtained as well. Studied results show that: the constant rate period of drying does not appeared; after a short time of rapid drying period, the drying proceeds to the falling rate period of drying, and the time of this period is quite longer than the rapid drying period; factor of temperature of the hot air has the most impact on the drying process of the rapeseed, and it is followed by factor of the initial moisture content, and factor of the velocity of the hot air has the least impact on the drying process, and all these 3 factors have less impact at the middle and later drying stage.