Apricot Drying Processing
1.Project Background
Apricots are nutritious, but fresh fruit is perishable. Traditional drying methods are significantly affected by weather, resulting in inconsistent quality. An agricultural cooperative in Xinjiang produces 50 tons of fresh apricots annually. Previously, low drying efficiency and high energy consumption led to high processing costs. In 2025, the cooperative introduced Jinlu Machinery’s high-efficiency heat pump dryer, significantly improving the quality and production capacity of dried apricots and enabling large-scale production.
2.Core Advantages of Jinlu Machinery Dryers
① Precision Temperature Control System
Utilizing PLC intelligent control, the three-stage temperature control with an accuracy of ±1°C avoids the “burnt outside, wet inside” problem associated with temperature fluctuations in traditional equipment.
Application Case: During the drying of dried apricots, the temperature automatically switches from 50°C to 60°C to 55°C, evenly removing moisture and resulting in a golden, soft, and chewy finished product.
② High-Efficiency and Energy-Saving Design
Heat recovery technology reduces energy consumption by 30%, reducing drying costs by 200 yuan per batch (based on a 500kg batch) compared to traditional electric heating.
Data Comparison: Processing 1 ton of dried apricots costs only 150 yuan in electricity (the industry average is 250 yuan).
③ Large-Capacity Layered Drying
Customized tray layout increases single-load capacity by 20% (capacity up to 600 kg of fresh apricots) and accommodates various apricot cuts (half-cut/whole).
④ Environmentally Friendly and Low Emissions
The closed hot air circulation system produces zero exhaust emissions, meets food processing hygiene standards, and helps achieve green food certification.
3.. Drying Process Optimization (Utilizing Equipment Advantages)
① Pretreatment
After pitting the fresh apricots, the Jinlu equipment’s pre-drying function (40°C/1 hour) rapidly sterilizes the apricots, extending their shelf life.
② Drying Stage
Stage 1 (50°C/4 hours): The equipment automatically removes moisture, shortening the initial dehydration time.
Stage 2 (60°C/12 hours): A uniform air flow system ensures uniform heat flow, preventing over-drying.
Stage 3 (55°C/4 hours): Low-temperature gentle drying locks in sugars, maintaining a stable moisture content of 18%-20% in the finished product.
③ Labor-saving Design
One-touch start and fault alarm functions reduce the need for dedicated personnel, reducing labor costs by 50%.
4.Economic and Social Benefits
Cost Savings: Annual processing of 50 tons of fresh apricots saves 25,000 yuan in energy costs.
Quality Improvement: The yield rate of dried apricots has increased from 80% to 95%, and the unit price of high-quality products has increased by 30%.
5.Customer Feedback
“The Jinlu dryer’s precise temperature control allows our dried apricots to surpass competitors in color and taste, and our customer repurchase rate now exceeds 70%!”
–Manager Zhang, Cooperative Head
Jinlu’s mechanical dryer, with its intelligent, energy-saving, and scalable design, addresses the pain points of traditional apricot processing, making it a reliable choice for deep processing of agricultural products. Future expansion is planned for wolfberries, red dates, and other products, contributing to rural revitalization.