Technological Development for Drying Coffee Beans Produced in the State of Espírito Santo: Drying in a Mechanical Fluidized Bed
 

This project aims to improve the quality of Arabica coffee produced in the southern region of Espírito Santo by developing and evaluating innovative grain drying technologies, focusing on preserving their physical, chemical, and thermal characteristics. The research seeks to promote innovation, energy efficiency, and value addition for this important regional agricultural commodity, connecting science, technology, and the state’s coffee-growing tradition.

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The proposal centers on the use and study of the mechanical fluidized bed, an emerging technology for grain drying in Brazil. This system offers advantages such as more uniform moisture content, reduced drying time, and potential reduction of qualitative losses. Unlike conventional methods, the mechanical fluidized bed uses motion induced by a helical screw to circulate the grains, while the airflow is primarily used to control the process temperature, helping preserve the coffee’s sensory compounds.

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During the project, physical, morphological, and thermal analyses of the grains will be conducted before and after the drying process. Characterization techniques such as FTIR, XRD, and DSC will be employed, along with measurements of key physical properties like density, porosity, and sphericity. The fluid-dynamic performance of the dryer will also be investigated by evaluating operational parameters such as air temperature, air velocity, and screw rotation.

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The results are expected to contribute to advances in grain drying research, particularly for high-value granular materials like Arabica coffee from southern Espírito Santo. Additionally, the data generated may support the optimization of energy use in the process, enabling more efficient heat utilization and reducing energy-related losses and costs.

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Status: Ongoing
Type: Research

Members: Robson Costa de Sousa (Coordinator); Fernanda Falqueto Salvador; Ariany Binda Silva Costa; Hugo Perazzini; Maisa Tonon Bitti Perazzini; Vitória Carolina Imbassay de Campos; Lucas Meili; Edilton Nunes da Silva; Mariah Gonçalves Mota; Mirella Sayuri Ferreira Buto; Lívia de Freitas Lacerda; Helder de Amorim Mendes.