Novel machine(s) to help with tobacco processing

[sweet_n'_smokey]

Hey guys! I have been working pretty hard developing an automated drying system. These current prototypes are the result of some major fumbles over the last few years. But, I think I have reached the end of the prototyping process. The way it's going to work is the drying box design uses a fan and a thermoelectric device to dry out the plant material while they hang from a weight sensor, so that you will be able to monitor how much water has been drawn off. Specifically, if your looking to get the plant material to about 15% of its starting weight over the course of a month, then you would allow the fan to dry the material until the leaves reach a lower water content, and then use the TEC to maintain the correct humidity to reach the desired time schedule. This will probably give a much better result over whatever the current air drying techniques are (I didn't really develop this for tobacco BTW).
Then, the next machine uses a vacuum chamber. The goal is to get the plant material to reach an equilibrium moisture content that is safe for storage. The problem is that you cannot over dry the material because then all the enzymes will be degraded, but you cannot just take all the leaves straight from the dry box to storage. So this machine will finesse the moisture content down to the perfect level. Basically, you load up the Baine Marie, close the motorized lid, and hit the start button. The machine will turn on the vacuum more or less depending on how much the humidity rises over the ambient.

 

[deluxestogie]

Welcome to the forum. Feel free to introduce yourself in the Introduce Yourself forum.

I'm not sure where in the process of harvesting, color-curing, kilning or fermenting tobacco this automated system is intended for use.

Bob

 

[sweet_n'_smokey]

Sorry, the library was closing and I forgot to post some pictures!

Welcome to the forum. Feel free to introduce yourself in the Introduce Yourself forum.

I'm not sure where in the process of harvesting, color-curing, kilning or fermenting tobacco this automated system is intended for use.

Bob

Well bob, this wasn't really intended for tobacco use originally. This is actually my first time growing tobacco and I have no idea what the process is. But I have some leaves I harvested early December that smell great and a few have changed from yellow to brown. I also have a much larger harvest (about 400 grams wet) I took two weeks ago. I don't plan on doing anything but air drying them for now.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Welcome to the forum.
This is a neat idea. I think it will work.
Traditionally, heat is only applied during air curing if needed to reach a minimum temperature. The moisture is allowed to leave naturally by cellular respiration, and slow evaporation in a moderately humid environment. Your system sounds like it's relying on heat to coax the moisture out. When you get to 15% of the weight, the leaves will probably be brittle. The reason is that the stems will likely have not dried, and will contribute much to the total weight. You will still need to watch the system and make active decisions about when to move to the next step.

 

[deluxestogie]

This is actually my first time growing tobacco and I have no idea what the process is.

You may want to read the New Growers' FAQ, and scan through the topics in our Index of Key Forum Threads. Both are linked in the menu bar.

Bob

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Sorry, the library was closing and I forgot to post some pictures!
View attachment 49316View attachment 49315 View attachment 49314

Well bob, this wasn't really intended for tobacco use originally. This is actually my first time growing tobacco and I have no idea what the process is. But I have some leaves I harvested early December that smell great and a few have changed from yellow to brown. I also have a much larger harvest (about 400 grams wet) I took two weeks ago. I don't plan on doing anything but air drying them for now.

Did you do those dovetails? That's some nice construction.

 

[sweet_n'_smokey]

Welcome to the forum.
This is a neat idea. I think it will work.
Traditionally, heat is only applied during air curing if needed to reach a minimum temperature. The moisture is allowed to leave naturally by cellular respiration, and slow evaporation in a moderately humid environment. Your system sounds like it's relying on heat to coax the moisture out. When you get to 15% of the weight, the leaves will probably be brittle. The reason is that the stems will likely have not dried, and will contribute much to the total weight. You will still need to watch the system and make active decisions about when to move to the next step.

No, actually the TEC is being used to condense the water vapor out of the air, no heat is involved. But since it takes about 2 amps I thought I would use a fan to get rid of most of the moisture and let the TEC maintain the right environment (because the goal is to maximize the amount of time it takes before it goes to the final drying in the vacuum chamber). The stem actually wilts long before the leaves dry out, but it is winter time right now, they'd probably dry out faster in summer. Also, 15% is still pretty wet, plant material gets brittle below 10%.

Did you do those dovetails? That's some nice construction.

Actually, those are t-nuts. I laser cut the panels and 3D printed some captive nut holders. The box holds together well but there is some back and forth.