ABSTRACT
The research was conducted to determine the rate of drying the moisture content by using
biomass energy of coconut shell. The drying system uses a dryer drying cabinet -type
measuring 1.15 m long , 1 m wide , 1.17 m high, which is equipped with a chimney , two
-level drying rack and 2 pieces drum thermal energy sources. The drying heat source
comes from burning biomass coconut shell in the drum . The room walls are made of
plywood with a thickness of 8 mm and coated by zinc plate with a thickness of 1 mm
which is painted black . Biomass was varied by 5 kg , 7 kg , 9 kg and 11 kg . Samples
which were dried was areca nut fruit. Drying is done 100 minutes with 10 minutes of
observation time interval. Results obtained by drying the biomass mass loss of 5 kg in
the both of racks are 9.95 grams and 10.21 grams . Biomass 7 kg on the both of racks are
13.42 grams and 18.22 grams . Biomass 9 kg on the both of racks are 15.07 grams and
19.41 grams . Biomass 11 kg on the both of racks are 17.81 grams and 20.32 grams .
The decline in water levels on both of racks are 4.57 % and 5.08 % for the biomass 5 kg.
Biomass 7 kg on the both of racks its decline in waterv levels are 12.76 % and 15.81 % ,
for biomass 9 kg on the both of racks its decline in water level are 17.89 % and 20.91 % ,
while for biomass 11 kg on the both of racks its decline in water level were 2.56 % and
23.14 % . The effect of the mass of biomass to a decrease in water level between the
mass of 5 kg is lower than the mass of 7 kg , 9 kg and 11 kg .
Keywords : Drying, Water content, Biomass, Coconut shell, Areca