Parallel-Flow Prune Dehydration

Authors

J. P. Gentry
L. L. Claypool
M. W. Miller

Authors Affiliations

J. P. Gentry is Assistant Agricultural Engineer, University of California, Davis; L. L. Claypool is Professor of Pomology and Pomologist, University of California, Davis; M. W. Miller is Associate Professor of Food Science and Associate Food Scientist, University of California, Davis.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 19(8):12-14. DOI:10.3733/ca.v019n08p12. August 1965.

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Abstract

About 20% of California's dried prune crop will be processed through parallel-flow dehydrators this year—a technique developed by University researchers that allows a 50% increase in seasonal capacity of conventional dehydrators, with no important differences in quality of the dried prunes. The new system involves moving the cars of prune dehydration trays through conventional drying tunnels with the hot air flow rather than against it. This operation exposes the moist prunes to the hottest air at the start of the drying process when higher temperatures are desired, rather than when nearly dry as they leave the tunnel. The new technique has also made feasible complete time-clock automation of dehydration tunnels.