Application of Analytic Hierarchy Process in Selection of an Appropriate Drying Platform for Maize Drying in a Solar Bubble Dryer

Abstract

The solar bubble dryer (SBD) is a convenient and better option to traditional open sun drying commonly practiced by smallholder farmers in Ghana and other developing countries. However, to operate the SBD, one is faced with the challenge of frequent mixing of grains using a rake to enhance uniform drying and prevent over-heating of the top-layer exposed to the sun. Additionally, condensation in the SBD can compromise the quality of grains during drying under humid conditions. In the present study, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to select an appropriate drying platform, tarpaulin, or elevated drying rack for maize drying in the SBD. Using the AHP, the elevated drying rack was chosen as a suitable platform for drying maize in the SBD. The SBD with the elevated drying racks was used to dry 270 kg of maize from a moisture content of 18.2% to 12.6% (w.w.b) within 6 hours compared to 11 hours for the same quantity of grains dried on the tarpaulin of the SBD to reach an MC of 12.5% (w.w.b). An average drying rate and moisture extraction rate of 0.93%/h and 2.88 kg/h were achieved with the elevated drying rack system compared to 0.52%/h and 1.60 kg/h when drying on the tarpaulin of the SBD. An average temperature of 44.6˚C recorded in the SBD was 9˚C more compared to the ambient temperature. The thermal efficiency of the SBD collector was determined as 36.2%. Drying grains with the elevated racks showed advantages of reduced drying time, improved airflow through the drying bed, and prevention of condensation, which occurs when drying on the tarpaulin of the SBD.

Selection of an Appropriate Biomass Burner for Drying Maize in a Crossflow Column Dryer Using an Analytic Hierarchy Process

“…Priority matrix was considered sufficient as the criteria for the study were clearly defined (Barati et al, 2019). Similar evidence in studies that focused on the selection of appropriate drying platform for maize drying in a solar bubble dryer, selection of appropriate dryer for drying tomatoes, and choosing of an optimal water distribution system have been reported (Armah et al, 2021;Aşchilean et al, 2017;Hruška, et al, 2014;Jorge et al, 2015).…”

A review of the inflated solar dryer for improving the quality of agricultural product

“…The advantages of the inflated solar dryer are large-scale application, minimizing the effects of unpredictable weather on commodities [34], improving the quality of the dried products because the products are enclosed in a transparent bubble condition, and reducing the drying time of the open sun drying [36]. Another advantage of this type of dryer is the energy to operate the machine was the lowest, but the disadvantages of APGS were investment costs and higher labor requirements compared to any other type [37].…”

Comparative assessment of three low-capacity drying systems using the analytical hierarchy process

“…Each element of the hierarchy is given a numerical weight or priority, which enables varied and frequently incommensurable items to be compared to one another in a logical and consistent manner (Saaty, 2008). Jorge et al (2015) used the AHP to select a long -life tomato drying system, while Armah et al (2021) used it in selecting the appropriate maize drying platform for a solar bubble dryer. In this study, the AHP model was applied to evaluate and select the best alternative among three low-capacity drying systems for maize drying by smallholder maize farmers in Ghana.…”