DETERMINATION OF SOME MECHANICAL AND THERMAL PROPERTIES OF COCONUT (COCOS NUCIFERA L.) UNDER VARYING MOISTURE CONTENT

Abstract

Some mechanical and thermal properties of coconut (cocos nucifera l.) were determined under varying
moisture content ranges (37%, 49% and 55% db). It was discovered that at moisture content of 37%, 49%
and 55% db mean thermal heat conductivity were 4089×10^-3W/m⁰C, 32132×10^-3 W/m⁰C and 1.59×10^-3
W/m^oC respectively. Thermal heat resistivity were 2445.5⁰C-m/w, 3112.076 ⁰C-m/w and 627 ⁰C-m/w
respectively. Thermal heat diffusivity for the different moisture content levels were 2.57×10^-7m²/s,
2.508×10^-7m²/s and 2.356×10^-7m²/s respectively. Specific heat capacity were found to be 6.36 J/g⁰C,
4.997 J/g⁰C and 26.539 6 J/g⁰C respectively. The bioyield strength, rupture strength and compressive
strength at 37% db were 31175, 57254.2 and 61211.03N/m² respectively. At 49% db moisture content,
bioyield strength, rupture strength and compressive strength were 24925.22, 46734 and 50598.22N/m²
respectively while at 55% db, bioyield strength, rupture strength and compressive strength were
22066.59, 35834.63 and 34896.88N/m² respectively. It is obvious that thermal conductivities, thermal
diffusivities and specific heats of coconut were found to increase with increase in moisture content. Also,
as moisture content increased, mechanical strength decreased.