Apparatus for Rapid Material Moisture Conditioning Using Saturated Salt Solutions

Abstract. An inexpensive bench top apparatus consisting of two ubiquitous five-gallon plastic pails, a computer fan, PVC pipe, two PVC fittings, and plastic mesh was developed for rapid conditioning a variety of biomaterials. Cost of materials for a single unit (sans power supply and datalogger) was under $30. The units were used to condition popcorn seeds, hazelnuts clusters, aronia berries, potato slices and apple slices. The importance of incorporating good air circulation was demonstrated during an initial popcorn conditioning study. In a set-up with air circulation, the moisture content of 7 kg of seed increased from 8.5% to 16% in 20 days. In an identical set-up without air circulation the moisture content of the same quantity of seed only increased from 8.5% to 10% in 20 days, and took 390 days to reach 15% - a whole percent less than that achieved after 20 days with air circulation.