Study of Potential Improvements of Tobacco Curing Process in View of Energy Aspects

The paper aims at studying the present performance of tobacco curing barns and to investigate the potential improvements in order to modify the existing tobacco barns in the view of energy aspects. The study was done by selecting ihe different types of tobacco barns which are located in the Matale district area. Temperature variations inside the barn were monitored throughout the complete process in order to find out the heat transfer patterns. The paddy husk charging patterns' and the consurnption rates, temperature variations inside the furnace were monitored to find out the performance of the furnace. Fur"ther the heat distribution ducting system was studied to find out the heat transfer efficiency from the furnace to the barn. The study results found that several improvements are presented and those are discussed in this paper. Finally it is expected to reduce the curing period up to 3 days (i.e. half of the existing curing period) in order to achieve an efficient curing system.