Copra and its Preparation 403 



enters above cannot reach the drying chamber 

 until it is heated ; meanwhile, the main body 

 of air continues rapidly circulating through 

 and through the dryer (as indicated by the 

 arrows on the illustration), thus carrying away 

 the moisture rapidly, and evenly drying every 

 part of the material. 



The speed of the warm circulating air can 

 be varied within very wide limits, as the fan is 

 capable of moving more than 5,000 cubic feet 

 of air per minute, and the direction of the air 

 current can be reversed if desired. 



The trays are interchangeable, so that the 

 material may be moved from one part of the 

 dryer to another, if ever desired, or taken else- 

 where for the material to " cool off" after drying, 

 to prevent sweating. Such a machine can easily 

 be taken to pieces and packed for removal, and 

 quickly put together by an intelligent person. 



Any kind of fuel, such as coco-nut shell or 

 refuse, wood, &c., may be used in these stoves, 

 or the fan can be driven by hand or power. 



The price complete would be about ^300 

 or rather less, whilst a smaller machine with a 

 drying surface of 240 ft. would cost under 1 50. 



Another apparatus, known as the "Chula" 

 copra dryer, is made by the Tyneside Foundry 

 and Engineering Company, of Low Elswick, 

 Newcastle-on-Tyne, who make a speciality of 

 the drying of all kinds of tropical products. 

 Their "Chula" drying machinery is working 

 in many parts of the East, including India, 



