Improved Agricultural Products Drying Through a Novel Double Collector Solar Device

Abstract

Backyard agricultural systems are frequently used for food production in rural tropical regions all over the world. The implementation of these systems has been used as a strategy to increase food security, to preserve the phyto and zoo diversity and to provide an alternative income for poorer rural families. Nevertheless, the absence of appropriate preservation mechanisms and nonrenewable energies can lead to significant production losses that could be prevented by the implementation of solar drying devices. The objective of this project was to design, build and validate a double collector solar device for improved drying performance. To evaluate the double collector solar device, four backyard products frequently used in the Mexico Southwest regional diet were used: carrots, chayote squash, tomatoes, and oyster mushrooms. The results showed that the solar device achieved drying efficiencies between 22.8 and 37.9% by reaching moisture values below the 12.30% threshold, which according to the international standards is considered as “Low Moisture Food”. The evaluation of the double collector solar drier is demonstrated to be an easy-to-apply and environmentally friendly method for food preservation in tropical rural regions by taking advantage of domestic renewable energy resources.

Rancang Bangun dan Model Kinetika Pengeringan Jamur Tiram pada Pengering Surya dengan Tiga Kolektor

“…[7] menginformasikan proses rancang bangun dan efektifitas pengeringan surya menggunakan dua buah kolektor pada pengeringan pisang. Sedangkan [8] juga meneliti tentang efektifitas pengering surya pada model baru yang diusulkan ketika mengeringkan beberapa produk pertanian. Sedangkan beberapa peneliti lain seperti [9] dan [10] menggunakan solar tunnel.…”

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Dehydration as a Women Entrepreneurship Alternative in Vulnerable Communities

“…The internal area of the dehydrator was used to calculate the available energy to conduct the dehydration process. This value provides the capacity of the dryer to increase the air temperature assessed and also the capacity to remove water from the products [15]. The efficiency η d is calculated as follows (Equation (1)):…”

Design, Fabrication and Performance Evaluation of a Charcoal-Fired Tomato Dehydrator for Developing Countries

“…The mass of the solid fuel (charcoal) required to be used in the CU was estimated using (7) according to [12]:…”

“…A double collector solar device for improved drying performance of four backyard agricultural products (carrots, chayote squash, tomatoes and oyster mushrooms) frequently used in the diet of Southwest region of Mexico was designed, built and validated by [7]. The test results showed a drying efficiency range of 22.8-37.9% by reaching moisture values below 12.30%.…”