Robust Design Applying Taguchi’s Orthogonal Matrices to Determine the Optimal Work Parameters in The Fruit Dehydration Process in A Solar-Gas Hybrid Dehydration Equipment Under Environmental Conditions at 2800 MASL

Abstract

In this research work, a prototype dehydrator Solar-gas was designed and manufactured in order to dehydrate tropical fruits under ambient conditions at 2800 MASL.  This equipment requires the development of study of parameter variation to determine the most optimal ones under these altitude conditions to which the Taguchi orthogonal matrices have been applied, varying at two levels the different parameters involved such as temperature, relative humidity, mass of product to be processed, product distribution within the equipment. By using this equation, the best combination of them was determined to achieve an efficient process and adequate dehydration. Validation of effectiveness is carried out by determining the homogeneity of the dehydrated product.