Page 421 - AWSAR 2.0

dehumidification system where there is a silica bed. See here in picture (B). It takes water from the saturated air and dries it before sending it to the drying chamber again.’
Low humidity air-dried apple slices
‘What is this silica? How can it take water from the air, Ma?’
‘Pillu, actually silica is a magical, colour- changing material. It turns pink when it adsorbs water and turns blue when water removed from it. So, it can be used many times, just by passing hot air to remove water from it. Now you got the point, Pillu? The whole system works based on a difference in water content.’ ‘Yes, Ma, now I understood your drying system completely. It is much similar to ‘relay race,’ which I play in school.’
‘Pillu, I am confused. Where does this relay race come from?’
’See, Mamma, first dry air comes to apples, takes water from them and goes to silica bed.
Ms. Sandhya R. Shewale || 397
Then, the silica bed takes water from saturated air; again the hot air comes, takes water from the silica bed and goes out of the system. It’s like passing water from one player to another.’ ‘Absolutely, Pillu! I never thought that way. So, you understood my cooler approach to drying apples. As I told you earlier, infrared heating also helps to remove water easily and dry apples quickly. Besides, colour and nutrients of low-humidity, air-dried apples are almost similar to freeze-dried ones, and they require only 4 h to dry.’
“Wow, Mamma! Now, villagers can also use your ‘cool way’ for drying apples to live healthy and happy. But, where are your ‘cool’ dried apple slices? I feel like tasting your yummy apple chips!”
‘I will get it tomorrow, Pillu! Now, go to sleep.’ ‘Okay. Don’t forget, Mamma!’
With this soft warning, he jumped on his bed to sleep.
And I was happy. At least today’s demand for an interesting story was met.