| Title | Instore-Drying Method Utilization in Shallots Drying Using Geothermal Energy |
|---|---|
| Authors | Dede IRAMA, Wita Rosmala Sari ANGGRAINI, Jooned HENDRARSAKTI |
| Year | 2015 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | shallots, instore-drying, geothermal energy |
| Abstract | The shallot (Allium cepa), or it is usually known as small red onions in Indonesia, is one kind of horticultural crops that is widely cultivated in Indonesia. Shallots cultivation is not only giving many advantages, but it also has a high risk when post-harvest handling is being done inappropriately. Improper handling can cause loss in weight, as well as damage to its bulbs because of being rotten, moldy and new shoots grow. The drying and storage process play important roles in post-harvest. Preserving shallots bulbs is usually done with drying. The method that is usually used in post-harvest is solar energy drying which takes 7-9 days. This is a constraint when the season and weather become erratic in Indonesia. Instore-drying method design, utilizing a drying shed and storage model, which is applied with a heat source from geothermal energy becomes a solution to avoid fresh shallots damage because the availability of geothermal energy does not depend on the season and weather, by extending the retention age and maintaining shallots quality with avoiding its bulbs damage, so farmers would gain added value in selling price that remains stable during the peak of harvest time. The shallots are stored by hanging on ties in a special warehouse at temperature 25-30 °C and equilibrium moisture content of 50%. The economic review indicated that the drying cost using geothermal fluids is more economical than using diesel energy. |