Highlights A new arrangement scheme was proposed using 55 temperature-humidity data loggers to collect and analyze data. Accurately divide the interior of the curing barn into three categories. A new temperature equalization device could reduce the proportion of poorly cured tobacco leaves by 3.7%. The temperature and relative humidity gradient in the Z direction was greater than in the X direction. Abstract. The uneven distribution of temperature and humidity in intensive curing barns is a key factor affecting the consistency of cured tobacco leaf quality. To enhance the quality of tobacco leaves after curing, this study is based on the ten-steady-temperature-point curing process, adopts an air downdraft-type bulk curing barn, installs 55 temperature and humidity measuring points, and collects data every 10 minutes. Firstly, the temperature and humidity distributions within the curing barn were analyzed from both temporal and spatial perspectives. Secondly, the degree of temperature deviation was quantified and correlated with the distribution of quality in cured tobacco leaves. Finally, a temperature equalization device was designed, and its effectiveness was evaluated. The results indicate that: (1) By analyzing, it is possible to accurately divide the interior of the curing barn into three categories: high temperature and low humidity zone, moderate temperature and medium humidity zone, and low temperature and high humidity zone, and the proportion of poorly cured tobacco leaves was 10.3%, 9.3%, and 13.9%, respectively. (2) The temperature equalization device can improve the uniformity of temperature and humidity distribution within the curing barn to a certain extent, reducing the mean coefficient of variation (C.V.) of temperature by 0.83, the mean C.V. of relative humidity by 2.52, and the proportion of poorly cured tobacco leaves by 3.7%. Compared with the original curing barn, there was a reduction of 18.62 kg of poorly cured tobacco leaves per curing cycle in the improved barn. This study provides a theoretical basis for adjusting the tobacco curing process and optimizing the curing device. Keywords: Bulk curing barn, Deviation degree, Temperature and humidity distribution, Temperature equalization device, Uniformity.
Zhao et al. (Thu,) studied this question.