Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: Specific Heat of Ground Fresh Sheanut Kernel (Butyrospernum paradoxum) as Affected by Particle Size, Moisture Content and Temperature
by A.K. Aremu and H.U. Nwannewuihe

Abstract:
Fresh sheanut kernel samples sourced locally were prepared by manually cracking, cleaning, sorting, grinding and sieving to obtain desired particle sizes. The specific heat of the samples were evaluated as a function of particle size (2.36mm {F1}, 1.18mm {F2} and 1.00mm {F3}), moisture content (initial moisture content, 10, 20, 30 and 40% db) and temperature (50, 60, 70, 80, and 90oC). The specific heat of each particle size increased with increase in moisture content and varied with temperature with values in the range of 2679.75 to 4230.17, 1952.08 to 4401.82 and 1716.84 to 4353.03 Jkg- 1oC-1 for F1, F2 and F3 respectively. The effect of moisture content was greater than both particle size and temperature and regression models with high coefficient of determination (R2) values were developed. This will aid in predicting the specific heat of ground fresh sheanut samples as a function of the observed variables.

Keywords: specific heat, particle size, moisture content, temperature

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