Thesis College of Engineering University of Rizal System-Morong 2024

The potential benefits of wheat, the most important staple crop in temperate zones, are significant, especially as demand increases in countries undergoing urbanization and industrialization. The development of the Wheat Drying Air Fryer addresses underlying problems related to traditional drying methods, which often use sawdust as a heat source that can be harmful to health if not properly controlled. Traditional methods are also time-consuming for farmers. The researcher developed the Wheat Drying Air Fryer using water irrigation as a power supply, creating a modern device for farmers to dry wheat efficiently while ensuring their health and safety. With this modern device, the time required for drying wheat is significantly reduced. The development of the study also aims to benefit the agricultural sector. The development of the system partially depends on the perceptions and opinions of board members of Salang Bata and Salang Matanda, as well as farmers, to increase acceptability and performance levels. Survey forms were used to classify results in terms of Functional Suitability, Performance Efficiency, Usability, Maintainability, and Reliability. The data were tabulated, tallied, and statistically analyzed using weighted mean. For the six-month development period, the researchers used a combination of developmental and descriptive research approaches. The developmental approach focused on designing and developing each component, the overall operation, and the interconnection of the whole device. The descriptive approach was used to determine the level of acceptability of the developed device through survey questionnaires. These questionnaires were evaluated using a 4-point Likert Scale to effectively assess acceptability based on respondents' perceptions. The developed Wheat Drying Air Fryer, powered by water irrigation, uses wheat harvested during sunny seasons rather than rainy seasons. After a 3-hour trial, the researchers found that the wheat dried faster than with traditional sun-drying methods. This modern device is also more cost-effective and requires less manpower and wood compared to conventional dryers. Enhancing the effectiveness of wheat drying systems contributes to agricultural productivity, energy efficiency, and operational capacity. Based on the findings and conclusions, the developed Wheat Drying Air Fryer using water irrigation as a power supply achieved the desired results in terms of drying wheat, temperature control, and durable construction.