Development of small-scale biomass furnace-control indirect heating rice grain dryer / John Rick E. Hapita, Christian Thomas M. Hiceta, Joshua T. Lopez, Cyrus Vrylle M. Quintos, James Mathew M. Vilas .--

Bachelor's thesis

College of Industrial Technology .-- Bachelor of Engineering Technology Major in Mechanical Technology: Technological University of the Philippines, 2025.

Includes bibliographic references and index.

A small-scale biomass furnace-controlled indirect heating rice grain dryer was developed to support experimental studies on new rice varieties. The prototype consists of three major systems: heating, air distribution, and storage system. Simulations demonstrated effective air distribution within the drying bin, ensuring uniform drying performance. The prototype was tested at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Los Baños, Laguna, achieving safe storage moisture content levels of 14% or below in three trials. The first trial reached a final moisture content of 13.70% in 9 hours, while the second and third trials achieved 13.82% and 13.85%, respectively. Although the theoretical drying time is eight hours, an additional hour was added to prevent spoilage and bacterial growth. Evaluation from 50 respondents reveals strong prototype performance with an overall mean rating of 4.38, classified as "Very Good." Functionality was noted for ease of use, while workability benefited from accessible materials and tools. Safety ensured secure operation, and aesthetics were positively received for size, color, and simplicity. The results indicate that the dryer maintains grain quality, particularly for germination purposes, while improving drying efficiency.