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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Dawson, Georgia » National Peanut Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #246979
Title: Phase angle and impedance measurements for nondestructive moisture content determination of in-shell peanuts using a cylindrical sample holder

Author
item Kandala, Chari
item Sundaram, Jaya

Submitted to: IEEE Sensor Applications Symposium
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/14/2009
Publication Date: 2/14/2009
Citation: Kandala, C., Sundaram, J. 2009. Phase angle and Impedance Measurements for Nondestructive Moisture Content Determination of In-Shell Peanuts Using a Cylindrical Sample Holder. IEEE Sensor Applications Symposium.

Interpretive Summary: none required.

Technical Abstract: A simple, low cost instrument that measures impedance and phase angle was used along with a parallel-plate capacitance system to estimate the moisture content (MC) of yellow corn. A sample of corn weighing about 100g was placed between the parallel-plate electrodes and the impedance and phase angle of the system were measured. A semi-empirical equation was developed with the measured values, and their MC values determined earlier by standard air-oven method, using multiple linear regression (MLR) methods. MC values of corn samples in the moisture range of 6% to 20%, not used in the calibration, were predicted by the equation and compared with their standard air-oven values. For over 93% of the samples tested the predicted MC values were within 1% of the air-oven values. This method being nondestructive and rapid will have considerable application in the drying and storage processes of corn and similar grain products.