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Abstract
Copra is one of the prime industrial products of the Philippines. Coconut meats gathered by farmers were dried and processed in various ways to yield a quality-grade copra depending on the availability and accessibility of their resources. The commonly utilized copra drying method are sun drying, smoke drying and kiln drying. However, due to insufficiency of resources, knowledge, and poor handling practices of copra farmers, copra yields continuously experience quality deterioration and production loss resulting to low income of copra farmers. Since, all copra farmers and buyers base the copra quality through the color of the copra. It disregards the main factor to determine the copra quality which is the moisture content.
With this, the researchers develop a portable copra drying device that utilize renewable solar energy as its main power source, with integration of programming of the Arduino Uno, relay modules, LCD, timer, and temperature sensor that maintains the programmed temperature and time to achieve the grade 1 quality copra containing 6% - 7.9% of moisture content according to Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).
The COVEN dries coconut meat by maintaining the temperature of 60 degrees Celsius for 8 continuous hours yielding 7.55% moisture content qualifying the grade 1 quality of copra based on the standard of PCA.
The research applied developmental, experimental, and evaluative research design in developing the device and in conducting several trials utilizing an observation guide to acquire data. The ratings and valuable recommendations from Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Programmers, and copra farmers were gathered for further improvements of the device. The COVEN garnered a weighted mean average of 3.9, 3.6 and 3.8 for its functionality, durability and ease of use respectively. Overall, the evaluation from respective evaluators was subjected to the rate of acceptability of COVEN which was highly effective and acceptable.
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