Agroindustrial project analysi

Table A-1 (continued)Mode and scaleDryer of operation 1977 capital cost' 1977 operating costb CommentContinuousconveyor(continued)75 percent moisture,$0.013-.017 per poundwater removedBelt-trough Continuous operation 2-3 times con- Similar to conveyor Similar to conveyor dryer (above); beformedium- to large- veyor-dryer cost dryer (above) cause of short drying time (3-4 timesscale production of based on con- faster than conveyor dryer), highdried,piece-form veyor surface, quality products with good nutrientproducts; best for large but comparable retention are producedvolumes of one prod- in outputuct; piece sizes mustbe small and uniformfor efficient dryingFreeze Batch operation for $18,000 for 320 Relatively labor- In general, freeze drying can producesmall- to medium-scale pounds, $34,000 intensive because of dried products with the best organoproduction;best for for 1,120 pounds, batch loading/unload- leptic quality and highest retention ofsmall volumes of piece- $87,000 for 2 ing (similar to cabinet nutrients; freeze-dried products sufferform foods with high tons daily' dryers, above); $0.035- negligible shrinkage compared withmarket value (such as .175 per pound raw other dried products and enjoy highspices); can process material (75 percent consumer acceptancealmost any form of moisture), $0.047-0.233food (solids, liquids, orper pound water reslurries)moved