Effect of operating parameters on the quality of solar salt in novel salt processing technology.

This study investigated the effect of operating parameters on basic essential quality parameters of the dried salt, such as physical quality, water content, NaCl percentage, and whiteness in novel salt processing technology. This novel technology was designed, built, and installed at the salt mini plant, University of Trunojoyo Madura, and consists feed hopper, grinding chamber, hot air blower, and separator chamber. Novel salt processing technology was investigated under various operating parameters : temperatures (60°C, 65 °C, 70 °C, 75 °C, 80 °C), air velocities (17.7, 20, 22.5, 24.4, and 27.5 m/s), and feeding rate at 44.28 and 49.35 kg/h. In terms of physical quality, the produced salt has uniform particle size, powder shape, and white color. The water content tends to decrease with increasing temperature and air velocity. The NaCl percentage and whiteness initially increased to an optimum value and then decreased with increasing temperature. However, increasing air velocity increased both NaCl percentage and whiteness. Nevertheless, while this study result has shown this novel technology to be successful, further investigation and improvement were required. The current study highlights recent developments of valuable salt processing technology to promote sustainability in the salt industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]